Africa 4 Dummies

Explore the stereotype of the "Big Man" in African leadership – adorned with honorary titles, accused of heavy corruption, and a face on the currency. But how accurate is this portrayal? Join us in conversation with former Vice President of Zambia, Nervers Sekwila Mumba, as we delve into the nuanced dynamics of power-politics in Zambia. Mumba shares his observations on the post-election state of democracy in Zimbabwe and Liberia, shedding light on the broader context of corruption in Africa. Challenge preconceptions and gain a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding leadership on the continent.

(00:01:46) Who is Dr Nerves Mumba?

(00:05:45) Pulpit to Vice President

(00:11:45) The lowest point in your career

(00:16:46) How to deal with doubts

(00:21:38) Zimbabwe election

(00:32:16) is democracy failing

(00:39:42) Best model of governance

(00:43:55) Why ruling parties collapse after office

(00:48:52) Why leaders stay in power

(00:53:28) How corrupt are African rulers

Join us for a thought-provoking conversation with Linda Kasonde, former President of the Law Association of Zambia and founder of the Chapter One foundation. Gain valuable insights into the responsibilities, challenges, and triumphs of leading such a prestigious organisation. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in the legal profession and social justice.

(0:00) Intro

(01:16) Who is Linda Kasonde

(03:59) Road to Law Association President

(07:25) Sexism

(15:46) Human rights endeavours

(20:32) Death Threats

(24:21) Africa's biggest human rights challenge

(28:17) Public Order Act

(30:24) Chapter One Foundation

(37:37) Constitution of Zambia

(47:17) Country with the best constitution.

(52:14) Fan Question

(55:16) What can Men do?

Join A4D and guest Femi Osunnuyi, Lead Pastor of City Church, Lagos, Nigeria, on a captivating journey through African Christianity. Explore how faith spread, untangle colonial tensions, and delve into influential African Christians. Navigate the complexities of LGBTQ, Africa, and Christianity in this thought-provoking discussion.

🎙️ Hosted by A4D: A4D and Pst Femi Osunnuyi lead insightful conversations, offering a holistic perspective on the intersection of Africa and Christianity.

👂 Tune in for a deeper understanding of faith, history, and identity in Africa. Subscribe, share, and embark on this enlightening exploration! 🌟

(0:00) Introduction

(02:03) Existence of Christianity Pre-Colonialism

(25:40) Christianity and Colonialism

(54:52) Key African figures

(01:01:53) How Africans can deal with complex Christian history

(01:09:06) LGBTQ, Christianity and Africa

This is a two part episode on China Africa relations.

Over the last 30 years China's presence in Africa has grown faster than ever. From providing what seemed to be an endless stream of cash in aid, loans, and infrustructure, it has now become an alternative financing arrangement  to the west. This has obviously got people talking, China says they provide Africa with better options and respect Africa's sovereignty - " Win Win" as they call it.

On the other hand the west says China, with its lack of transparency and lack of democratic norms make it a predatory country with its projects laced in bad debt on poor countries. Basically they claim China is not good for Africa.

But whats the African perspective ?

We discuss this with Dr Emmanuel Matambo, Research Director at the Centre for Africa-China Studies (CACS) at the University of Johannesburg, South Africa.

Audio Excerpts :

New China TV- Robert Mugabe (former President of Zimbabwe) expresses gratitude to China at China-Africa summit.

Financial Times - John Bolton(National Security Advisor -NSA to Donald Trump, former US president) accuses China and Russia of ‘predatory practices’ in Africa.

On the 23rd of August Zimbabweans went to the polls to elect their next president and parliamentarians for the next five years. In this second episode on the Zimbabwean elections we discuss voter intimidation and how fair this election will be. We also discuss the youth vote and the challenges women politicians like Elisabeth Valerio and Fadzayi Mahere faced in the run up to this elections.

We discuss these topics with a Zimbabwean voter Dr Chipo Dendere who is an academic based in Wellesley College in Massachusetts in the USA.

On the 23rd of August 2023 Zimbabweans will vote for their next president and parliament. There are 11 presidential candidates but its widely considered to be a two-horse race between veteran opposition figure Nelson Chamisa, 45 and President Emmerson Mnangagwa (nicknamed the crocodile) aged 80 seeking a re-election after taking over from Robert Mugabe in 2017. The American professional boxer Floyd Mayweather also made an appearance this election season!

Find out why and more as we unpack this election with Dr Chipo Dendere, a Zimbabwean academic from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, US.

To assist please visit www.eyeonesudan.net

Since 15th April Sudan has been embroiled in a power struggle between two Generals. So far at least 700 people have been killed and hope for Sudan’s democracy after the ousting of longtime authoritarian leader Omar Al Bashir seems as bleak as ever.

The A4D team discusses this with Dr Nisirin Elamin, Assistant Professor in the Africa Programme at the University of Toronto.

Since 15th April Sudan has been embroiled in a power struggle between two Generals. So far at least 700 people have been killed and hope for Sudan’s democracy after the ousting of longtime authoritarian leader Omar Al Bashir seems as bleak as ever.

The A4D team discusses this with Dr Nisirin Elamin, Assistant Professor in the Africa Programme at the University of Toronto.

In recent weeks the south-eastern African countries of Mozambique and Malawi have been hit by the longest cyclone on record, Cyclone Freddy. This cyclone has seen over 400 people dead, many landslides and millions worth of damage. With cyclone Idai in 2017 and cyclone Kenneth in 2019 claiming thousands of lives and billions in damages the annual cyclone seasons are getting more and more devastating. Whats happening and whats being done to help ?

We discuss this with our special guest Alexina Phiri. Originally Malawian, she is an experienced lawyer, human rights activist and a UK diplomat with the FCDO (Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office ) who helped organise the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, UK.

Music: I AM AN AFRICAN - Ethan Tomas

On the 25 February Nigeria will be electing its 14th president. As incumbent Muhammadu Buhari's second and final four year term as president comes to close he is barred from having more than two terms. 18 people (1 woman) are vying  to succeed him at Aso Rock (presidential residence).

In this four-part episode we talk to Desmond Okumbor, a PhD candidate at Oxford University in Political Science and an SDG Research Fellow. Key topics we discus include the four-front runner candidates, the power of the youth vote, the state of the economy and in the last one we look at how this election could determine Nigeria's foreign policy.

IN THIS EPISODE

We discuss foreign policy in this episode. Nigeria's economy, population and miltary makes it a lynchpin of ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States). In this final Episode we briefly discuss where Nigeria's next leader might take Nigeria internationally.

We end by looking at Google Trends of front-runner candidates.    

Music: I AM AN AFRICAN- Ethan Tomas

On the 25 February Nigeria will be electing its 14th president. As incumbent Muhammadu Buhari's second and final four year term as president comes to close he is barred from having more than two terms. 18 people (1 woman) are vying  to succeed him at Aso Rock (presidential residence).

In this four-part episode we talk to Desmond Okumbor, a PhD candidate at Oxford University in Political Science and an SDG Research Fellow. Key topics we discus include the four-front runner candidates, the power of the youth vote, the state of the economy and in the last one we look at how this election could determine Nigeria's foreign policy.

IN THIS EPISODE 

We discuss the economy in this episode. With a $440 billion GDP Nigeria is Africa's largest economy. However in the last year Nigeria's GDP growth has reduced and a few weeks ago a botched attempt to redesign the currency has lead to a cash shortage and widespread protests. Cash is key as 57% of Nigeria is in the informal economy (e.g food marketeers). 

How will this affect the vote ?

Music: I AM AN AFRICAN- Ethan Tomas

On the 25 February Nigeria will be electing its 14th president. As incumbent Muhammadu Buhari's second and final four year term as president comes to close he is barred from having more than two terms. 18 people (1 woman) are vying  to succeed him at Aso Rock (presidential residence).

In this four-part episode we talk to Desmond Okumbor, a PhD candidate at Oxford University in Political Science and an SDG Research Fellow. Key topics we discus include the four-front runner candidates, the power of the youth vote, the state of the economy and in the last one we look at how this election could determine Nigeria's foreign policy.

IN THIS EPISODE

In this episode we discuss old leaders and young voters as well as ethnicity. With 70% of Nigerians being under 30 we ask why are all front runners over 60? We also discus how movements like #EndSARS could tell us how young people could be influencing the rise of Peter Obi. We also discuss ethnicity religion  and power rotation.  

Correct ages if presidential front-runners :

Atiku Abubakar's age is 76 and not 70 as stated. 

Bola Tinubu is 70. 

Peter Obi is 61. 

Rabiu Kwnakwaso is 66.

Music: I AM AN AFRICAN- Ethan Tomas

On the 25 February Nigeria will be electing its 14th president. As incumbent Muhammadu Buhari's second and final four year term as president comes to close he is barred from having more than two terms. 18 people (1 woman) are vying  to succeed him at Aso Rock (presidential residence).

In this four-part episode we talk to Desmond Okumbor, a PhD candidate at Oxford University in Political Science and an SDG Research Fellow. Key topics we discus include the four-front runner candidates, the power of the youth vote, the state of the economy and in the last one we look at how this election could determine Nigeria's foreign policy.

IN THIS EPISODE 

This episode will profile the four front-runners. With the largest population in Africa at 213 million and over 90 million registered voters this is a highly anticipated election and also a very unpredictable election as the two traditional parties face not one but two disrupter parties. Indeed, in addition to the rulling All Progressive Congress (APC) fielding Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the main opposition Peoples Democratic Congress (PDP) fielding Atiku Abubakar the disruptors are the Labour Party led by Peter Obi and the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) candidate Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Music: I AM AN AFRICAN Ethan Tomas 

Five years ago, this month the world's oldest president at age 94 was overthrown by his own military in a stage-managed coup after 37 years at the helm of power. This 2-part episode revisits the perceptions and realities of life during the controversial Zimbabwean president Robert Gabriel Mugabe's rule and what has happened since?

Was he a liberation hero or an intellectual tyrant? Was he an anglophile or a black nationalist?  We ask questions about the Gukurahundi massacre/genocide and the land reform programme.  Finally, we ask...is Zimbabwe better now 5 years since Mugabe?

This is all answered by our guest Dr Chipo Dendere. A Zimbabwean academic from Wellesley College in the US who has testified before US Congress on Zimbabwean Sanctions.

Also in the episode are ordinary Zimbabweans from diverse backgrounds sharing their perspective on Mugabe's Zimbabwe and the aftermath.

Music:

Gomba - Hope Masike

Cheuka - Victor Kunonga, Wilfred Mafrika Nyamasvisva

Zimababwe - Kintar Remix - SANDHAUS, KOBAIEN, Sound of Bam, Kintar

Five years ago, this month the world's oldest president at age 94 was overthrown by his own military in a stage-managed coup after 37 years at the helm of power. This 2-part episode revisits the perceptions and realities of life during the controversial Zimbabwean president Robert Gabriel Mugabe's rule and what has happened since?  

Was he a liberation hero or an intellectual tyrant? Was he an anglophile or a black nationalist?  We ask questions about the Gukurahundi massacre/genocide and the land reform programme.  Finally, we ask...is Zimbabwe better now 5 years since Mugabe? 

This is all answered by our guest Dr Chipo Dendere. A Zimbabwean academic from Wellesley College in the US who has testified before US Congress on Zimbabwean Sanctions. 

Also in the episode are ordinary Zimbabweans from diverse backgrounds sharing their perspective on Mugabe's Zimbabwe and the aftermath.

Music: 

Gomba - Hope Masike 

Cheuka - Victor Kunonga, Wilfred Mafrika Nyamasvisva

Zimababwe - Kintar Remix - SANDHAUS, KOBAIEN, Sound of Bam, Kintar  

Doing Business in Africa Special Season Ep 3

Meet Yebo Ngulube! A young upstart who along with a group of friends started his own construction firm at 23. Soon after finishing his degree in civil engineering, he went on to have several apprenticeships and eventually went on his own starting Urban Space Construction. With ambitions to be a industry disrupter by bringing tech to construction, his firm has featured on national TV in Zambia.   

In this episode we also talk about the pros and cons of building a house vs buying a house. Additionally, with homeownership rates in Africa being very low; South Africa- 35%, Kenya - 15% and Nigeria - 25% we also ask whether all Africans should really aspire to be homeowners.

Doing Business in Africa Special Season  Ep 2

In the second instalment of our African Aviation episode we take stock of aviation sector developments that could bring the cost of flying in Africa down. Here we explore Ethiopian airlines growing hubs across the continent and how it could reduce ticket prices and whether or not more airlines means cheaper tickets. We also ask why Africa lacks low cost carriers (LCC's)  and why flying is still a privilege. 

For those intrested in becoming a pilot, an air attendant or an aeronautical engineer listen up as we count the costs on what it will take to achieve this.

Join the A4D team as we answer these questions with an expert African aviation Puthego Mojapele, a familiar face on South African media on anything aviation, he also runs his own charter company from South Africa and beyond.

Doing Business in Africa Special Season  Ep 2

In the last 10 years African cities have seen a huge facelift in aviation infrustructure, with COVID 19 adversely impacting the sector is this all in vain? 

In this first instalment of our two part aviation episode we also ask : Why are new  terminals and new airports springing up across African cities and towns? Why are countries like Rwanda, Tanzania, Senegal and Uganda investing huge amounts in reviving their national airlines? 

Join the A4D team as we answer these questions with an expert African aviation Puthego Mojapele, a familiar face on South African media on anything aviation, he also runs his own charter company from South Africa and beyond. 

As people got news of Queen Elizabeth II's death on 9th of September 2022 a debate on how we should think about Africa's relationship with the British monarchy reignited. From cherishing the Queen's relationship with African leaders like Kwame Nkrumah  to holding her responsible for the British Empire atrocities this episode features diverse opinions on how Africans relate to the longest reigning British monarch ubiquitously referred to as 'the Queen'. 

Join the A4D team as we take a trip through identity, post-colonial complexities and how we must understand the British monarchy today with Dr Weston K Shilaho, Kenyan author of 'Political Power and Tribalism in Kenya'  who is a Senior Research Fellow at Institute for PanAfrican Thought and Conversation (IPATC) at the University of Johannesburg. 

Music: Jamestown Joint by Ethan Tomas

What does it mean to be an African today? Is race a qualifier, birth, culture, history etc?

How do Gen Z Africans define themselves and how do they relate to Africa's contrasting depictions in popular movies like Black Panther to negative media stereotypes of famine and war.

Join the A4D team with our special guest Yunia from Wanderings & Musing as we answer and discuss these cultural topics with a touch of history and statistics.

The poem in this episode is an excerpt from a speech by former South African President Thabo Mbeki to the South African parliament on the passing of South Africa's new constitution on 8th May 1996. The first comprehensive post-Apartheid constitution.

Feel free to leave a comment to let us know what you want to see more of!

What does it mean to be an African today? Is race a qualifier, birth, culture, history etc? 

How do Gen Z Africans define themselves and how do they relate to Africa's contrasting depictions in popular movies like Black Panther to negative media stereotypes of famine and war. 

Join the A4D team with our special guest Yunia from Wanderings & Musing as we answer and discuss these cultural topics with a touch of history and statistics. 

The poem in this episode is an excerpt from a speech by former South African President Thabo Mbeki to the South African parliament on the passing of South Africa's new constitution on 8th May 1996. The first comprehensive post-Apartheid constitution.  

Feel free to leave a comment to let us know what you want to see more of!

After a short hiatus, we are back!

On the 9th of August Kenyans will select their Governors, legislative decision-makers and the next President and Vice-President. 

The next president of east Africa's largest economy will either be the son of it's first vice president, the veteran politician- Raila Odinga (age 77) or its current Deputy President William Ruto  (age 55) who styles himself as a 'hustler' due to his lack of being in a political dynasty. 

Expert Guest: Sylvanus Wekesa (PhD) a researcher at King's College London's(KCL) Africa Leadership Centre (ALC). 

We discuss the who's who in this election and how it impact's the pressing issues from youth disinterest in the election, Kenya's corruption problem, rising cost of living to its foreign policy in relation to Ukraine, Congo and Chinese debt. 

Music: Twende Twende by Eric Wainaina ft Oliver Mtukudzi 

Everyone has heard about China in Africa but what happens when African countries recognise Taiwan? Does China care? In fact why should Africans care ? 

Taiwan has been losing friends in Africa but the Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland) not only recognises them but also lobbies for their recognition in the United Nations. Find out why this is the case and how many other African countries deal with the well known China-Africa relations when it comes to Taiwan. 

Join the hosts Zenge and Nathan with Zeng-Ee (Darill) Liew, a Malaysian PhD candidate at Surrey University who specialises in East Asian international relations. As an avid scholar he has also featured in the Journal of Global Faultlines. 

Music: Gambia by Sona Jobarteh 

Doing Business in Africa Special Season  Ep 1

In this new season the A4D team brings you various guests across Africa’s business sector to share insight on what it’s like to do business in Africa. 

In this episode, we speak to the Managing Director of Blacksmith Capital Zambia, Mujo Simakoloyi as we bust some myths about youth entrepreneurship and the ‘hustle culture’.

Song: Tondo - Disclosure 

What exactly is Metaverse, is there money to be made and what’s in it for Africa? 

Find out in this episode with Sultan Quadri, a Lagos based tech analyst and journalist who is the Editor-in-Chief of fact-checking outlet People’s Check. His work on young people and Africa’s tech start-ups have appeared in media platforms including Stears Business, Quartz Africa as well as The Guardian Nigeria among others.

Music : Water No Get Enemy - Violaaa, Pat Kalla

Find out as the A4D Team talks to our special guest Dr Awol Allo, senior lecturer in International Law at Keele University and contributor to Al Jazeera. 

Ethiopia’s northern Tigray region has been at the centre of a conflict with Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed’s government since 2020.

Although the Tigray forces (Tigray Liberation People’s  Forces - TPLF) were seen to be on the verge of taking Addis Ababa, Abiy Ahmed on 28 November 2021 announced victory over Tigray.

[The views expressed in this episode belong to the guest and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Africa 4 Dummies ]

Song : የኔ አለም - Yene Alem by YONZIMA

Many more African young people are trying their luck at getting rich in gambling, but at what cost? Speaking to a Global Health researcher and expert from the University of Manchester, Mr Byron K Y Bitanihirwe the A4D team discuss the side effects, causes and solutions on Africa’s youths in gambling.
ALSO INSIDE: A short interview with a Ugandan in his 20s (name withheld) reflecting on his gambling experiences.

Song: Good Morning Riddim - Sarz

Over 100 years ago in what is now Namibia, a genocide saw 80% of the Herero and 50% of the Nama ethnic populations killed by German colonialists. 

Often known as Germany’s first Holocaust, the Africa 4 Dummies team talks to Prof Henning Melber from the Nordic-Africa Institute and member of SWAPO (Namibia’s ruling party) on how Germany and Namibia are dealing with their past and why youths should care about it.

Music: Ras Sheehama - Shohela Oshaile Shaya

In this episode Nathan and Zenge discuss Nathan’s paper on how agricultural industries in Europe and South Africa create a “dangerous, degrading and dirty“ environment for  African migrants seeking greener pastures.

[Disclaimer]

To avoid any contradiction this is episode 8 and not episode 3 as might have been stated in this podcast. 

Song: Harare by  Bongo Maffin 

Amidst the debate over debt sustainability, the rising cost of living and concerns over political violence as well as an ever-present pandemic,  the southern African country of Zambia heads to the polls on the 12th August 2021. 

Instead of talking to experts, this time the Africa 4 Dummies Team decided to talk to ordinary Zambians about their views ahead of this General Election.

Co-produced by Claude Hang-Belemu

Song: Jay Rox- Area 

When democracy does not bring prosperity.

About 10 years ago the Arab Spring occurred, which saw long-term authoritarian leaders in North Africa and the Middle East ousted from power,  starting with President Ben Ali of Tunisia in 2011. Since then Tunisia has been largely seen as the most successful country in its transition into democracy. However, after  President Kais Saied abruptly sacked the Prime Minister and dissolved Parliament last week the Africa 4 Dummies Team asks if this democratic success story is a myth?

This is explained by our special guest Abdullah Al-Wandawi, an International Relations graduate and former  intern of the Middle East Eye  media organization.

Music: Ya Lili by Balti

Speaking to Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh (author, Oxford scholar, activist and rapper) hosts Zenge and Nathan discuss his new book ‘The New Apartheid’, Jacob Zuma and much more.

Find out more about Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh here: https://sizwempofuwalsh.com/

Music: Beautiful People by Chike 

Africa’s Black Market: Covid19 Vaccines 

As most of Africa goes through its third wave of the Covid19 pandemic, senior researchers Richard Chelin (Institute of Security Studies Africa ) and Dr Craig Moffat (Good Governance in Africa organisation) speak to the Africa 4 Dummies team about the flourishing black market for Covid19 Vaccines.

Link to article: https://issafrica.org/iss-today/fake-covid-19-vaccines-seized-in-sa-just-the-start-for-africa

Link for WHO facts on Vaccination: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines

Song: Sazile by Kato Change, Winyo and Suraj 

Disclaimer. The Africa 4 Dummies team does not intend to contradict any authority local or international in any jurisdiction on any matters concerning the Coronavirus 19 Vaccination programs. Any further medical information must be found on the World Health Organisations platforms.

Recently South Africa has seen civil unrest after the sentencing and jailing of former President Jacob Zuma. In this episode hosts Zenge and Nathan and a special guest Nishka Pillay (a politics grad ) from South Africa discuss and analyse the recent events.

Co-produced by Mwiza N

Music : Bongeziwe Mabandla - Ndokulandela

Join hosts Zenge and Nathan as they discuss what being black means inside and outside Africa with 3 guests (Lory, Mwiza and Fatouma ) from diverse African backgrounds.

Music: Fatoumata Diawara

Ft a quote from Chimamanda Ngozi Adiche (France 24 interview)

Much has been said about the New Scramble for Africa but what's Africa actually doing about it?