Africa Daily

Jamie Mighti, a South African political commentator, discusses the African National Congress (ANC) as it celebrates its 113th anniversary. He highlights the party's recent electoral challenges and loss of parliamentary majority, emphasizing failures in job creation, power supply, and water access. With President Cyril Ramaphosa at the helm, the ANC reflects on its past while contemplating necessary reforms to regain public trust. Mighti questions if the historic party is still relevant in today’s political landscape.

Over the past five years Ghana has seen a wave of Africans from the diaspora returning to their ancestral land. That’s because of initiatives like ‘The Year of Return’ which the government launched in 2019. Former president Nana Akufo Addo said “we believe we have a responsibility to extend a hand of welcome” and that ‘The Year of Return’ had been a “great success”. But this movement isn’t without controversy. While diasporans celebrate newfound opportunities and belonging, many local communities feel excluded from the economic benefits.BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to Ghanaian Culture Journalist Emmanuel Olele as well as Annabelle McKenzie, the Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, an initiative of the Ghana Tourism Authority.

In this engaging discussion, former Olympic champion Nancy Chebet Lagat, now a coach advocating for athlete welfare, joins Elizabeth Keitany, Athletics Kenya's safeguarding executive. They tackle the alarming issue of gender-based violence faced by female athletes, highlighted by the tragic case of Rebecca Cheptegei. The conversation emphasizes the urgent need for protective measures and safeguarding policies, the importance of mentorship, and addressing the exploitation vulnerable young athletes confront in Kenya's sports landscape.

Tsitsi Dangarembga, an award-winning Zimbabwean author and filmmaker, shares her transformative journey from medical studies at Cambridge to becoming a leading voice in literature. She reflects on the pivotal moments that fueled her passion for writing, the challenges of balancing creativity and discipline, and the resilience needed to overcome rejection. Dangarembga discusses the importance of nurturing local talent in Africa’s creative economy and the impact of her experiences on her narrative of independence and societal change.

In today's Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Franca Ma-ih Sulem Yong Akinboboye.She campaigns for a better understanding of mental health in Cameroon. She founded two NGOs, Positive Youths Africa which is based on encouraging positive mental health for young people and Afrogiveness which uses art therapy, amongst other methods, to help survivors of conflict and discrimination. Her work has reached an estimated 100,000 people. These include victims of the Boko Haram insurgency which has spilled over from Nigeria into Cameroon and the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon between English and French-speaking parts of the country.

Mpho Lakaje, a Johannesburg-based BBC journalist, shares insights on Africa's future trajectory. They discuss groundbreaking advancements like the innovative HIV drug Lennacapivir, emphasizing accessibility challenges. Political turbulence is highlighted, with ongoing conflicts in Sudan and the Sahel, plus looming elections in Tanzania and Ethiopia. The conversation also hints at economic woes in Nigeria and societal unrest in Mozambique. With a touch of humor, they set New Year's resolutions, reflecting on the younger generation's role in shaping the continent's future.

Which news stories have stuck with you over the last year? Sudan? Mpox? The Gen Z protests? What about the cost of living? Alan Kasujja is joined by three BBC colleagues in South, East and West Africa to unpack the biggest issues which impacted the continent in 2024. With presenter Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja), Africa Daily’s @Mpholakaje in Johannesburg, East Africa Deployments Editor @RuthNesoba in Nairobi, and BBC journalist @Chrisewokor in Abuja.

"The power of live entertainment is unmatched." In today’s podcast, we explore the vibrant culture of African festivals and their growing impact on the continent's economy and global influence. Events like Flytime Fest in Lagos and Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar draw thousands of visitors annually, fuelling tourism, hospitality, and cultural exchange.But what does it take to organise a music festival?Alan Kasujja speaks to Keke Hammond, Chief Operating Officer of Flytime Fest, and Journey Ramadhan, Managing Director of Sauti Za Busara.

What and who made you the person you are today? It’s a big question and the answer is different for us all. Over the festive period Alan Kasujja has been exploring this subject with people who have gone on to do amazing things in their lives. Today’s guest is the Right Reverend Dr Vicentia Kgabe, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lesotho. She grew up in Soweto in Johannesburg when there were no female priests but she says she knew from an early age knew that she wanted to become a priest. Her ambition caused some consternation within her family, a priest dismissed the idea and said she should focus on her education. So how did she manage to plot her path to go from a priest, to the head of a training college for clergy and finally to a position of leadership in the Anglican church when so many people told her it was impossible?

Meaza Ashenafi, Ethiopia’s first female Chief Justice, shares her inspiring journey from a small town to breaking barriers in the judicial system. She discusses her challenges as the sole woman in her law class and her dedication to human rights. Meaza reflects on her nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize and the resilience required to navigate a male-dominated field. She emphasizes the importance of women’s leadership in law and how personal experiences shape the fight for justice in developing countries.