Africa Daily

“If South Africa was that hostile towards African immigrants, I would expect that people would stop coming. If South Africa was such a deadly place to be an African national, then why would you still be seeing South Africa top the charts on the lists of immigrants flocking here?” - Makone Maja, Institute of Race Relations Chidimma Adetshina, a 23-year-old model based in Cape Town will be among the ten women who will be hoping to walk away with the Miss SA crown, this Saturday. But her participation has been rejected by some, questioning her nationality. She was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and a mother who has Mozambican roots. The Patriotic Alliance, a party led by South Africa’s Minister of Sport, Arts & Culture, Gayton McKenzie, says it’s planning to interdict Chidimma from participating in the contest. But there are many others who’ve thrown their weight behind the 23-year-old. They include political parties like Rise Mzansi and the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania. Alan Kasujja attempts to find out why this issue is dividing South Africans.UPDATE: On Thursday afternoon Chidimma Adetshina withdrew from the Miss South Africa contest. Her decision follows accusations from the Ministry of Home Affairs that her mother may have committed fraud and identity theft to obtain South African citizenship.

Not too long ago we spoke with Benin’s former Minister for Environment and Urban Planning, Luc Gnacadja, about the challenges and strategies for planning African cities. He told us that he considers Africa’s biggest city, Lagos, to be the least climate resilient city on the continent. Africa has suffered disproportionately from climate change, and this is set to continue- scientists predict that global temperatures will continue to rise for decades. But will urban populations cope? In today's episode, we explore one man's plan to address this. James George, a Nigerian architect, and founder of HTL of Africa. He spoke to Alan Kasujja about his vision for the design and building of more climate-resilient cities, starting with Lagos.

South Sudanese citizens will finally get to vote in an election at the end of this year. This will be the first time a democratic process will have been carried out since Independence in 2011. But the basic preparations for such an event do not seem to have got off the ground yet. So will the politicians of a country that has suffered years of civil war, and is still affected by inter-communal violence, have the ability to pull together and get the process started? And will the difficulties of weak state institutions, a lack of census data and logistical problems be overcome? These are some of the questions to explore as South Sudan looks forward to the 22nd of December, the date set for its first election.Guests: BBC reporter Nichol Mandil in Juba, and Professor Abednego Akok Kacuol, the chair of the National Elections Commission.

Surfing looks amazing fun – seeing a surfer crouched on a board riding a big wave at speed must be an incredible feeling. But it’s not a well-known sport in Africa, despite nearly 40 countries on the continent having coastlines, with waves breaking along hundreds of miles of beaches. Four African surfers did make it to the current Olympic games, from South Africa and Morocco. But their ratio of three men to one woman is a good illustration of the fact that it’s a male dominated sport in Africa. So today we’re going to talk to two pioneering female surfers about why they surf, and what challenges they’ve overcome to become women who surf.Guests: Maryam el Gardoum, a champion surfer who runs Dihya Surf School, the first female-led surf school in Morocco, and Dihya Nasri, who is known as the only female surfer in Algeria.

“It’s unacceptable for a member who was a veteran and he was a former president, to have started a new political party. Of course he knew that he was violating the ANC’s rules” – Snuki Zikalala, president of the ANC’s Veterans League The relationship between South Africa’s African National Congress and its former president Jacob Zuma appears to have come to an end. Zuma was officially expelled by the party last month, following a disciplinary hearing. It comes after he established Umkhonto Wesizwe Party, which claimed almost 15% of the vote at this year's national election. On Thursday, the ANC’s Secretary General Fikile Mbalula reiterated that Zuma’s matter had now been finalized and that he was no longer the party’s member. Although it’s not clear if Zuma will appeal, he earlier insisted that this was far from over. Zuma is a popular but also controversial figure who’s known for staging sensational political comebacks. Alan Kasujja sits down with two ANC veterans Tony Yengeni, who represented Zuma at his disciplinary hearing as well as Snuki Zikalala, a critic of Zuma’s. To unpack all these political developments, Alan hears from Professor Daryl Glaser from Wits University in Johannesburg.

In this engaging discussion, Tom Osborn, the founder of the Shamiri Initiative, sheds light on the mental health struggles faced by Kenya's Gen Z amidst rising activism. He reveals how social media fuels both youth resilience and the demand for change. The conversation also highlights the challenges young people endure, from trauma to societal pressures, and the urgent need for accessible mental health resources. Personal stories from the youth provide insight into their experiences and the path toward empowerment in the face of adversity.

A recent ambush in central Somalia has sparked fierce debate over weapon security. The lifting of an arms embargo is now questioned as militia seized a convoy, resulting in casualties and fears of weapons reaching Al-Shabaab. The podcast delves into the complex clan dynamics that shape Somali society and the challenges they pose for the government. Amidst rising violence, the authorities struggle to reclaim lost arms, highlighting the delicate balance needed to manage local rivalries and enhance security.

Brian Wesaala, founder of the Football Foundation for Africa, joins the conversation to tackle the complexities of African countries claiming football players born in Europe. He discusses the implications of players’ heritage, spotlighting the intriguing case of Lamine Yamal. Wesaala argues for investing in local talent development rather than solely focusing on dual nationals. He emphasizes the need for strong grassroots initiatives to nurture African players, ultimately enriching the continent's football identity while balancing pride with pragmatism.

Anthony Dzamefe, founder of Caveman Watches, shares his inspiring journey from working as an airport greeter to becoming a renowned luxury watchmaker, despite facing skepticism and ridicule. He discusses the challenge of changing perceptions about African craftsmanship, revealing how luxury is often tied to foreign brands. Dzamefe recounts the struggle of starting a local business in Ghana, where his first clients rejected his watches upon learning their origin. Today, he proudly serves high-profile celebrities, including Beyoncé.

Malawian swimmer Tayamika Chang'anamuno and Ugandan sports journalist Darren Allan Kyeyune discuss Africa's expectations for the Paris Olympics, highlighting challenges in African sports development, the journey of an athlete, and excitement surrounding African athletes gearing up for the event.