On Point | Podcast An African history of Africa with Zeinab Badawi
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Aug 22, 2025 
In this engaging discussion, Zeinab Badawi, a Sudanese-British journalist and president of SOAS, dives into Africa's rich history beyond the colonial narrative. She unveils the powerful Kingdom of Kush, known for its impressive pyramids and military might, challenging the traditional views of African history. Badawi advocates for recognizing influential African women and the continent's diverse contributions. Plus, she highlights the shared roots of humanity, emphasizing the importance of understanding Africa's past for a better future.
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Move To Global Reporting To Avoid Stereotypes
- Zainab Badawi shifted to BBC's international division to avoid UK audiences' stereotyped, humanitarian-focused diet on Africa.
- She sought a multidimensional approach to reporting African stories for a global audience.
Live Aid Reporting From Sudan
- Badawi covered the 1980s famine from Sudan and found locals blamed their government, not foreign aid, for their plight.
- She observed humanitarian imagery created a passive narrative that robbed Africans of agency.
Kush: A Forgotten Nile Superpower
- The kingdom of Kush rivalled Egypt and at its peak conquered and ruled Egypt during the 7th–8th centuries BCE.
- Northern Sudan contains more pyramids than Egypt, revealing a monumental but underappreciated civilization.
