Africa Daily

By BBC World ServiceNews

Africa Daily episodes

January 03, 2025 How I became me: award winning Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga
Tsitsi Dangarembga is a critically acclaimed Zimbabwean writer.
She is known for her trilogy of semi-autobiographical novels- ‘Nervous Conditions’, ‘The Book of Not’, and ‘This Mournable Body'.
She’s won awards, made films, been arrested for anti-government protests in her home country and lived in Zimbabwe and abroad.
For the last episode in our ‘How I became me’ series, Alan Kasujja speaks to her about the choices and moments that shaped her life and her decision to become a writer.
23 min
January 02, 2025 How I became me: Cameroon mental health advocate Franca Ma-ih Sulem Yong Akinboboye
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.
22 min
January 01, 2025 What can Africa expect in 2025?
Yesterday Alan and his BBC colleagues from South, East and West Africa gathered for a reminder of the big stories of 2024 – and to discuss how they’d shaped the continent.
Today they pick up and look forward to the next year: so what can we expect to see in the news in 2025?
With presenter Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja), Africa Daily’s @Mpholakaje in Johannesburg, East Africa Deployments Editor @RuthNesoba in Nairobi, and BBC journalist @Chrisewokor in Abuja.
NOTE: Since the recording of this discussion the estimate for the number of dead in Mozambique has risen to 278 (source: local NGOs via Integrity Magazine).
20 min
December 31, 2024 What were the big news stories of 2024?
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.
29 min
December 30, 2024 How are African festivals shaping the continent’s global influence?
"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.
20 min
December 27, 2024 How I became me: Bishop of Lesotho Dr Vicentia Kgabe
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?
21 min
December 26, 2024 How I became me: Ethiopia’s trailblazing Chief Justice Meaza Ashenafi
In 2018 Meaza Ashenafi made history when she became Ethiopia’s first female Chief Justice, transforming the country’s judicial system while breaking barriers for women.
But her remarkable path began far from the courtroom, in a small town in Benishangul-Gumuz, in north west Ethiopia.
In today's Africa Daily, she speaks to Alan Kasujja about her journey- her childhood, her law school days as the only woman in her class, defending human rights, being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and what shaped her vision of justice.
19 min
December 25, 2024 How I became me: Dr Aminata Toure, Senegal’s ‘ambitious’ former PM
‘‘I was a very ambitious young girl, I looked at Margaret Thatcher and Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir, and I said well, if they can do it at that level, why not me?’’
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 will be exploring this subject with people who have gone on to do amazing things in their lives.
In the first interview of this special series, Alan speaks to former Senegalese Prime Minister Dr Aminata Toure.
As she pursued her education in France and the USA, Aminata was clear in her mind what she wanted to do: champion human and women’s rights.
Her work on reproductive health in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and later with the United Nations would help her prepare a set of priorities for when her opportunity would come to serve in the government.
But it wasn’t all work and she loved football and judo - interests her mother worried would stop her from finding a husband.
20 min
December 24, 2024 How a 20-Year-Old South African became the world’s youngest MasterChef
“My age was the most talked-about thing, but I turned it into my strength.”
In today’s podcast, we’re serving up the ultimate recipe for success, featuring the extraordinary journey of Bridget Mangwandi, a 20-year-old South African who made history as the first black woman in her country, and the youngest in the world, to win MasterChef.
Her final challenge on the show was to create a two-course meal celebrating African flavours with a modern twist – and she responded by reimagining her mother’s favourite dish. Her reward? The R1 million grand prize (about $55,000).
For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks with Bridget about her journey, her love for food, and how she’s a better cook than her Mum.
20 min
December 23, 2024 How will homeless people in South Africa spend Christmas?
“For people to be seeing me like this today, I feel embarrassed. I won’t lie to you. There are times when I want to go home and talk to them, but I’m thinking I might get rejected” - Brian Singh, a homeless man in Durban, South Africa
Around this time of the year, Durban in South Africa attracts hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors.
This is due to its warm weather, sea, theme parks, restaurants, bars and affordable accommodation.
Sadly though, not everyone is walking around the streets of the coastal city with a broad smile on their face.
Today Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje visits Durban and meets people who’ve been homeless for years due to various reasons, including joblessness and family disputes.
So, how are people in such situations spending Christmas?
17 min

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Africa Daily has now come to an end. But do listen to Focus on Africa for all the big stories and for the African perspective on major global news. Hosted by Audrey Brown and ready by late…