Africa Daily

“The stigmatisation extends to the fact that in some cultures, there’s a presumption that if an elderly person is talking bizarrely or behaving unusually, they’re suspected of being witches or wizards or something like that.”Three and a half million people are currently estimated to live with dementia in Africa. Dementia is an umbrella term use to describe neurological conditions which lead to the loss of memory, language, and the ability to think clearly. People can start to struggle to get dressed. They can forget things they’ve known all their lives: how to get home, or even who their loved ones are. And it can affect their behaviour. But there’s been very little research done on African patients. And studies - especially using genetics - have been heavily reliant on Caucasian populations. This is why a group of scientists in Africa have set up the Africa Dementia Consortium to improve the research and knowledge of Dementia in Africa.Mpho Lakaje speaks to one of the scientists involved, Professor Njideka Okubadejo, a Professor of Neurology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, as well as Sseku Safic from the Mount Meru Hospital in northern Tanzania, who has set up the only memory clinic in the country.

“We sit on some of the best grains in the world… things that can grow in really tough environments and give you harvests several times a year.”Celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson was born in Ethiopia but was adopted by a Swedish couple and taken to Sweden as a small child after his mother died of tuberculosis.After travelling across Europe and to Japan for his training, he rose to prominence as a chef in the US - cooking for the rich and famous including Barack and Michelle Obama, Desmond Tutu, Nelson Mandela and Oprah Winfrey. He's recently opened a restaurant in Addis Ababa – to add to those he already runs in New York City and elsewhere.And now he's on a mission to get people to eat more African grains like millet, teff, and sorghum - arguing they’re more sustainable, climate resistant and nutritious.For Africa Daily, Mpho Lakaje talks to him about his passion for African grains as well as what influenced him in his journey to becoming a successful businessman and chef.

"I started out life not being acutely aware of being blind. I was more aware of what I could do as opposed to the reality of being blind and the accompanying limitations."Nigerian musician Cobhams Asuquo has produced for some of Africa’s biggest stars and become a celebrated musician himself. In today’s Africa Daily, Cobhams talks to Alan Kasujja about turning obstacles into opportunities. He's been using his platform for an even greater cause—advocating for childhood immunisation. With the release of No More Zero Dose, an anthem featuring stars like Timi Dakolo and Omawumi, Cobhams is trying raise awareness about the millions of children in Africa who still lack access to vaccines. Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guest: Cobhams Asuquo

The killing of two high-ranking members of the Podemos political party in Mozambique has sent shock waves through the country. Elvino Dias and Paul Guambe were murdered in a hail of bullets in the capital Maputo in the early hours of the 19th of October. The leader of the Podemos party, Venancio Mondlane has accused the ruling Frelimo party of being behind the killings, a charge the government denies. The murders happened ten days after the country voted in national elections, a process that the government says was free and fair, and which opposition parties say was marred by election rigging. Frelimo won the election with 70% of the vote, and Podemos came second with 20%.So at a time of political tension, Africa Daily's Mpho Lakaje examine how this double murder could affect the political landscape of Mozambique.Guests: Dr Jussuf Adam, an academic in Mozambique who studies the contemporary history of his country, and Dr Edson Cortez, Director of the Public Integrity Centre, a civil society organisation in Mozambique.

President Mokgweetsi Masisi will be looking to secure another term in office when his nation votes in a national election next Wednesday. His predecessor and former boss, Ian Khama, is also in the picture. He won’t be running for office, but he’s throwing his weight behind the Botswana Patriotic Front, an opposition party he helped to establish. The southern African nation, which has a population of over two million people, relies heavily on diamond mining to drive its economy. While it’s known for being one of the least corrupt nations in Africa, it currently faces all sorts of economic problems. Presenter: Alan KasujjaGuests: Mmapula Molapong and Professor Zibani Maundeni

Professor Thuli Madonsela was South Africa’s Public Protector from 2009 to 2016. She’s famous for taking on former president Jacob Zuma over his misuse of public money. She received death threats for doing her job. Abideen Olasupo, is Nigerian and belongs to the next generation of anti-corruption activists who believe Artificial Intelligence will empower young people to hold those in public office accountable. He’s developed ‘My AI Factchecker’, a tool which allows people to verify the factual accuracy of information. They were brought together at the recent One Young World summit in Montreal, Canada. So what can the new generation of corruption activists learn from someone like Thuli Madonsela? And is AI going to be a help or hindrance for the next generation? They answered these questions and more in a discussion with Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje.

"We tried so many shelters, and we were like rejected. It’s like, it’s not for migrants, it’s not for migrants!” Lebanon is caught in a devastating conflict between the Israeli army and Hezbollah, a powerful Shia Muslim political party and armed group. Critical infrastructure, including hospitals, residential buildings, and shelters, has been destroyed, displacing over a million people across the country. Among those most affected are Lebanon’s roughly 250,000 migrant domestic workers, primarily from African and Asian countries including Ethiopia, Bangladesh, and Sierra Leone. Many of these workers, who were already living in precarious conditions under the Kafala system which leaves them heavily reliant on their employers, have now been made homeless and are desperately seeking shelter, food, and safety. For Africa Daily, Muthoni Muchiri speaks with Mariam Bai Sesay, a former domestic worker and Enu, the deputy director of Egna Legna Besidet, an organisation that provides legal aid, housing assistance, and food relief to the workers.

"From time to time my parents will ask me: 'Hey why do you look like this'?... But they'll never ask me directly because I try my best to conceal it." In Somalia, alcohol is completely banned because of Sharia law. It’s also frowned on by many people on religious grounds. Those caught using it are arrested and fined or imprisoned – and dealers caught with large amounts are named and shamed on TV. But its sale is also highly lucrative in a country with high unemployment – meaning there are plenty of people willing to risk smuggling and selling it. Smugglers have to drive hundreds of kilometres from Ethiopia trying to evade Al Shabaab militants and clan militiamen in order to get the alcohol to Mogadishu. But on the way they pass through border towns where there’s increasing concern about the impact of drinking. For today’s Africa Daily podcast, Peter Musembi speaks with a young drinker and Yusuf Warsame, a community leader from Galdogob – a town on the border with Ethiopia.

Today Africa Daily's Mpho Lakaje sits down with multi-award winning South African musician Nhlanhla Mafu of the popular Afro-pop group, Mafikizolo.Our guest shares her journey with hearing loss, which has been devastating to her, considering the nature of the industry she's in.This comes as Africa is facing a growing hearing loss crisis, affecting 49 million people and costing the continent $27 billion each year.The World Health Organisation predicts this number could rise to 54 million by 2030.Key causes include a shortage of Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialists, limited access to hearing aids, and untreated diseases due to unequal healthcare.So, what's the solution? How best can African countries respond to this crisis?Presenter: Mpho Lakaje. Guests: Dr. Mukara Batamuliza Kaitesi and Nhlanhla Mafu.

In a thought-provoking discussion, Gambian filmmaker Cherno Jagne shares insights from his impactful short film, "The Backway," which examines the heartbreak of returning migrants. He highlights the sacrifices families make to support these treacherous journeys and the severe stigma returnees face upon coming home. Jagne emphasizes the importance of cultural authenticity in storytelling, advocating for relatable narratives that resonate with the experiences of those affected by migration. His film serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of seeking a better life.