To celebrate its first anniversary and 25th episode, the Crossing The Line podcast is hosting a special live event aimed at tackling pressing urban issues and giving ordinary citizens a platform to voice their concerns.
The inaugural event, titled “Does the city work for you?”, will take place on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, from 5.30pm to 8pm at The Activist Café, Bertha House, in Mowbray, Cape Town.
The event marks the launch of a four-part monthly series leading up to December. Following September’s focus on municipal issues ahead of the November municipal elections, upcoming sessions will explore The South Africa We Want to Live in (October), The Africa We Want to Live in (November), and The World We Want to Live in (December).
Ryland Fisher, founder, creator, and host of the Crossing The Line podcast, described the live series as a natural evolution toward building an inclusive movement.
“The dialogue is a natural development for what started off as a podcast and, if everything goes according to plan, we will soon become part of a movement to promote inclusivity and celebrate the diversity of our society,” Fisher said. “This will be a fitting antidote to the people who are trying to take us back into the apartheid era by dividing everyone who live in South Africa into little boxes which, in their opinion, must be kept as separate as possible.”
A Platform for Citizens, Not Politicians
Unlike traditional panel discussions, the dialogues feature an audience-first format. Across the 90-minute session, the public will lead the conversation. The first 45 minutes will focus on challenges within the city, while the second half will centre on community-driven solutions rather than relying on political interventions.
Subject-matter experts will be present in the audience to provide commentary after public inputs. Confirmed experts include Bonteheuwel United Front leader Henriette Abrahams, human rights activist Nomfundo Walaza, and Mitchells Plain entrepreneur and activist Dr Alicia English, alongside representatives invited from Ndifuna Ukwazi.
Fisher emphasised that political and government officials are welcome to attend, but solely to listen.
“We ask people who attend the dialogues to leave their political hats at home so that we can engage respectfully as citizens,” Fisher said. “We have invited political parties and city officials to attend, but merely to listen, because this is ultimately a platform for citizens and not politicians or bureaucrats. We will use the same format with all our dialogues because we believe it is important to give citizens a voice.”
Breaking Down Separations and Fostering Tolerance
Launched to promote an inclusive South African and global society, Crossing The Line aims to break down lingering historical divisions.
“At Crossing the Line, we have always believed in crossing, and possibly eradicating, the apartheid era lines – railway lines and freeways between townships and suburbs – that were meant to separate us in South Africa,” Fisher said. “We believe that we have much more in common than that which makes us different. We intend to celebrate what we have in common instead of focusing on our differences.”
He urged attendees to approach the session with respect and an open mind:
“It is only when we talk to each other and listen to each other, that we will begin to understand what makes everyone tick,” Fisher said. “Greater tolerance will, hopefully, lead to greater cooperation between everyone as we strive to build an inclusive and productive society.”
Event Details and Registration
The event is supported by media and learning partners, including Mobilearn and IOL.
-
Date: Wednesday, September 9, 2026
-
Time: 5.30pm to 8pm
-
Venue: The Activist Café, Bertha House, 67 Main Road, Mowbray, Cape Town
-
Admission: Free (contributions welcome), with limited seating
Members of the public can reserve their tickets online via Quicket.
