Eight thought-provoking episodes set to spark the conversations South African women have been waiting for First for Women and Anele Mgudlwa are proud to announce the launch of their podcast. The Anele Podcast – Her & Now, hosted by one of South Africa’s most loved and
authentic media personalities, premiers on 7 May 2026 and will span eight powerful episodes, each rooted in the findings of First for Women’s inaugural Her and Now: Insights into the Women of South Africa 2025 report.
Designed to create a bold and authentic space for conversations that truly matter, the podcast brings the voices, realities and triumphs of South African women into sharp, honest focus.
The Her & Now report — drawn from in-depth research with more than 4,000 women across
South Africa — revealed that women today are simultaneously more empowered and more
exhausted than ever before. From the weight of financial anxiety and safety fears to the quiet
rebellion of choosing softness over sacrifice, the report paints a rich, complex portrait of
womanhood in 2025. The podcast breathes life into these findings, translating data and insights into real, raw, human conversations that women across the country can relate to.
“Anele is the perfect voice for this journey,” says Jill Mulligan of 1st for Women. “She is relatable and deeply connected to the lived experiences of South African women. When she read the Her and Now report, she didn’t just engage with it — she felt it. Her credibility is exactly what these conversations need to resonate, and we know that in her hands, this podcast will move people.
We are proud to partner with her to take these important findings beyond the page and into the hearts of women everywhere.”
Anele herself is unequivocal about why this project matters so deeply to her: “This research
needs to be heard in nuggets by women every single day. There’s a quiet revolution happening, and softness is the behaviour leading it. One quote that stands out for me is: ‘You have to schedule the good times, because the bad times don’t make an appointment.’ Joy, no matter how small, is an act of power — you’ve got the power to make sure that you’re having a good time. “I am really excited about this podcast because I have been waiting to have these
impactful and important conversations about women. It’s about time. These conversations need to happen.”
The series kicks off on 7 May with Episode 1: The Power Paradox, featuring Lynn Forbes
(known and loved as Glammy) is a deeply personal exploration of vulnerability, grief, and what it means to be seen. Also coming up in the series, Anele asks the question that cuts close to home: can women truly afford joy — financially and emotionally? Comedian and author Tumi Morake joins Anele for a conversation that is equal parts laughter and raw honesty.
More episodes go deeper still, with Sinenjabulo Zungu, entrepreneur and CEO of AmaZulu Football Club, exploring how women are quietly but boldly redefining power and success, and Nozipho Tshabalala, global conversation strategist and moderator, examining the hidden cost of the “strong woman” archetype.
The Anele Podcast – Her & Now is more than entertainment — it is an extension of First for
Women’s commitment to seeing and supporting women in all their complexity. Since its
establishment in 2004, First for Women has championed the safety, financial security, and
wellbeing of South African women, and through the First for Women Foundation their customers have raised over R110 million in the fight against gender-based violence. This
podcast continues that mission: listening deeply, reflecting honestly, and showing up for women — just as the report found that 97% of women show up for each other, even when it’s hard.
The Anele Podcast – Her & Now, hosted by Anele Mgudlwa, is available wherever you get your podcasts — including Apple Podcasts and Spotify. New episodes drop every Thursday from 7 May through to the end of June 2026.
You can also watch the full episodes on the First for Women YouTube channel at youtube.com/user/firstforwomen .
