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Much has been written about the South African Border war which is also known as the Namibian War of Independence. While the fighting was ostensibly about Namibia, most of the significant battles were fought inside Namibia’s northern neighbour, Angola.

South Africa’s 23 year border war has been almost forgotten as the Cold War ebbed away and bygones were swept under the political carpet. South African politicians, particularly the ANC and the National Party, decided during negotiations to end years of conflict that the Truth and Reconciliation commission would focus on the internal struggle inside South Africa.

For most conscripts in the South African Defence Force, the SADF, they completed matric and then were drafted into the military. For SWAPO or UNITA or the MPLA army FAPLA it was a similar experience but defined largely by a political awakening and usually linked to information spread through villages and in towns.

This was a young person’s war which most wars are – after all the most disposable members of society are its young men. Nor was it simply a war between white and black. IT was more a conflict on the ground between red and green. Communism and Capitalism.

The other reality was despite being a low-key war, it was high intensity and at times featured by unconventional warfare as well as conventional. At times SADF soldiers would be on foot, walking patrols or SWAPO on foot, launching attacks across the border.

But there were motorised heavy vehicles, tanks, artillery, air bombardments and mechanised units rolling into attack each other.

For some that was a nightmare, for others, freedom. At times youngsters from the suburbs of Pretoria or Durban were fighting experienced soldiers from Russia and Cuba. For veterans the territory would come to be known as “Nam” as the experience replicated the American experience in Vietnam to some extent.

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South Africa is at a cross-roads. A leadership void has emerged in the wake of constant political scandals and economic challenges.

A universal, critical need continues to go unmet by as illegitimate conversations spread across social media.

There is a lack of sophistication in leveraging digital channels and a fractured and fragmented news media to appeal to SA audiences hungry for leadership and certainty.

Radio Life & Style, in conjunction with the Market at the Lifestyle Centre Ballito, presents the X Factor Playlist Challenge: a radio talent search where new musical talent gets the opportunity to launch themselves onto the Radio Life & Style playlist. From there, the sky is the limit as we connect Ballito with the world via our live digital stream and podcasts.

Each week we introduce you to a new artist and play you their latest track. At the end of each season, all featured tracks get loaded onto a Facebook Event page platform where you get to vote for your favourite track. The track with that magical X Factor that receives the most votes each season, will go onto our permanent Radio Life & Style playlist.

Tune in, spread the word about local talent with Radio Life & Style - proudly supported by the Market at the Lifestyle Centre Ballito: the premiere venue for great live music in Ballito.

Mike Charles and co-host newscaster Nokwanda Tema start your day with The Morning Show, weekdays from 7-10am on Radio Life & Style - proudly driven by CMH Motor City Ballito.

Broadcasting live from the heart of Ballito, The Morning Show serves up a curated mix of contemporary music and hits from across the decades, alongside interviews with tastemakers and influencers, and a healthy dose of local news & views from the booming KZN North Coast.

Listen live on lifeandstyle.fm, download our free Radio Life & Style app or find our shows on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all good platforms.