Africa Daily

South Africa is no stranger to xenophobic violence. In recent years, reports of attacks against immigrants have become common. Somali nationals are often targeted – and so, when a recent shooting was reported in a Western Cape township, the Somali community got worried. Why exactly?Host: Karnie Sharp (@KarnieSharp on Twitter) Guests: Mpho Lakaje, reporter; Ali Osman, South African Somali Community Board. #AfricaDaily

It’s probably fair to say that the one thing the whole world has collectively been thinking about in the last year is Covid and the vaccines that will defeat the infection. Although some countries in Africa have done well at getting their citizens the jab, Africa remains the least vaccinated continent. Lately, there’s been a lot of discussion about what difference could be made to the situation if the big pharmaceutical companies waived their intellectual property rights on their vaccines -- allowing countries to copy and produce the formula cheaply. Today Nancy Kacungira looks at whether Africa can produce its own vaccines. Host: Nancy Kacungira (@Kacungira on Twitter) Guests: Rhoda Odihambo, BBC Africa Health correspondent/ Catherine Kyobutungi, Executive Director of the African Population and Health Research Centre.

Her critics describe her as populist and a demagogue. But Abir Moussi’s sudden popularity has taken many in Tunisia by surprise. She’s known for attention-grabbing stunts and for peddling conspiracy theories – and yet some believe she’s the answer to the country’s many problems. But is that really the case? And what does her rise tell us about Tunisia today?Host: Nancy Kacungira (@Kacungira on Twitter) Guest: Youssef Cherif, Director, Columbia Global Center, Tunis.#AfricaDaily

One wife. Several husbands. Why not? South Africa is considering an update to its marriage laws. Among other things, it could make polyandry legal. If the changes go through, this would be a big first for Africa - but perhaps unsurprisingly, not everyone’s up for it.Host: Nancy Kacungira (@Kacungira on Twitter) Guests: Latashia Naidoo, investigative journalist; Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, African Christian Democratic Party leader; Elizabeth Retief; Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa’s Minister of Home Affairs.#AfricaDaily

The Democratic Republic of Congo is looking for help from it’s neighbours to solve the problem of rebel militias in the east of the country. The government recently imposed temporary martial law in the troubled eastern provinces of North Kivu and Ituri - a region that has more than one hundred known armed groups. These groups have been responsible for thousands of deaths and led to the displacement of millions of people. A delegation from the Ugandan army recently arrived in the region to help set up a joint operation. And the Rwandan President, Paul Kagame, has offered his support in the country’s struggle to restore peace in the region. In today’s episode of Africa Daily Nancy Kacungira looks at whether there’s a solution to the violence in the country.

European, American and African leaders, together with financial institutions, are looking for ways to help restart growth in Africa after the Covid health crisis. Described as the “New Deal” for African economies, leaders aim to find solutions to Africa’s international debt, which could see the continent fall into recession. In Africa Daily Nancy Kacungira has been looking at the extent of Africa’s debt problem and how a deal might help the continent.

For a long time, African literature didn’t get the recognition it deserved – certainly in the west. But walk into any bookshop nowadays and the shelves are piled high with African authors. More and more are winning international book awards, including Chigozie Obioma and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi – who we hear from in today’s episode. So, what’s prompted this change? And what does it take for African writers to get global recognition? Victoria Uwonkunda finds out in today’s episode of Africa Daily. Host: Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter) Guests: Chigozie Obioma and Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi

Covid-19 is, once again, spreading in the Seychelles. In just a few months, the country has managed to vaccinate most of its people against the virus. But a recent rise in the number of cases has many scratching their heads. What went wrong – if anything at all?Host: Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter) Guests: Sharon Ernesta, Seychelles News Agency ; Dr Christian Happi, African Centre of Excellence for Genomics of Infectious Diseases.#AfricaDaily

Who’ll be king of the hoops? Africa’s top basketball teams are joining a brand new league backed by the American NBA. It’s called the Basketball Africa League (BAL) - and it will kick off in Kigali, Rwanda on 16 May. The tournament is yet another sign the NBA has its eyes on the continent - but what does it all mean for the continent? Host: Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter) Guests: BBC reporter Isaac Fanin; DJ Poizon Ivy.#AfricaDaily

West Africa’s seas are under threat.Illegal fishing is destroying marine life and crushing people’s livelihoods. Local fishermen point their fingers at foreign vessels – mainly Chinese, but also European.By some estimates, illegal fishing is costing the region at least two billion dollars a year.But a new surveillance centre in the Gulf of Guinea is trying to stop this from happening.Will it make a difference?Hosted by Victoria Uwonkunda (@Msuwonkunda on Twitter)#AfricaDaily