African Men Speak

In this episode of African Men Speak, we explore the historical foundations of African masculinities through a Namibian lens, focusing on the Damara and Nama communities. 

Drawing on research into gender-based violence and queer femininity, this conversation examines how pre-colonial societies organised gender roles in ways that were often fluid, functional, and context-driven — rather than rigid or binary. We then trace how colonial rule, particularly under German and South African administrations, reshaped these systems. Victorian gender norms, Christianity, and colonial law introduced more fixed ideas of masculinity and femininity, criminalised same-sex relationships, and reinforced hetero-patriarchal structures that continue to influence society today. 

The discussion also looks at:

• The role of religion and education in shaping gender norms
• Differences between urban and rural experiences of masculinity
• Regional contrasts across Africa — including legal progress and regression
• Cultural reflections through literature, including Things Fall Apart 

This episode situates masculinity within history, language, and power — not as a fixed identity, but as something shaped and reshaped over time.

Guest: Jermine April is a Namibian researcher, research consultant, and entrepreneur whose work focuses on African masculinities, gender-based violence, and the historical legacies of colonialism. Her research explores how power, gender, and violence are shaped by history and social structures.

In the eighth episode of our Five Questions series, a female voice working across humanitarian contexts reflects on masculinity as something that must evolve beyond control, silence, and rigid gender roles. She challenges traditional expectations that limit men's emotional expression, arguing instead for vulnerability, self-awareness, and shared responsibility in relationships and family life. Drawing on both personal experience and observation, she highlights the growing need for mental health support and safe spaces where men can speak openly. Her reflections push toward a redefinition of strength—one grounded not in dominance, but in emotional intelligence, inclusion, and the courage to be fully human.

In the seventh episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man in the diaspora reflects on how his understanding of masculinity has shifted from rigid, traditional expectations shaped in childhood to a more balanced approach that includes openness, vulnerability, and emotional awareness. Drawing from his Luo background, he discusses how cultural norms are evolving across generations, influenced by modern life and global exposure. He emphasizes the importance of dialogue among men, the need to challenge inherited ideas, and the value of support systems—reminding listeners that while expectations remain high, navigating life as a man should not be done in isolation.

In this episode of exploring African masculinity, we ask a fundamental question: how do we think about it? 

This episode introduces key ideas and frameworks that shape how masculinity is understood — from hegemonic masculinity to plural masculinities — and why these tools matter when navigating conversations about identity, culture, and change. 

Rather than offering answers, this episode focuses on building a way of thinking — one that helps us question assumptions, recognise patterns, and better understand the forces shaping masculinity across African contexts. 

Key themes: 

• What masculinity is (and isn’t)
• Why theory matters
• The influence of culture, history, and power
• How ideas about masculinity are shaped and circulated 

As we move through the season, two questions will guide the conversation: 

1. What do we lose when we forget our own histories of masculinity?
2. What would change look like if it was built from African ways of being men? 

📚 References & Further Reading:

• Connell, R.W. & Messerschmidt, J.W. (2005) – Hegemonic Masculinity (Gender & Society)
• Oyèrónkẹ́ Oyěwùmí – The Invention of Women
• Ifi Amadiume – Male Daughters, Female Husbands

African Men Speak is a long-form podcast exploring African masculinities through lived experience, history, and critical reflection. 

Subscribe for more conversations. #AfricanMasculinity #Masculinity #AfricanPodcast #GenderStudies

Recorded in August 2025, this episode features a long-form conversation with Onyango Otieno (Rixpoet) — trauma coach, writer, poet, mental health advocate, and host of the Afro-Masculinity Podcast.

We discuss Onyango’s personal journey through childhood violence, depression, and sexual abuse, and how those experiences shaped his work with men and his thinking on masculinity. The conversation explores silence, intergenerational trauma, patriarchy, feminism, and the difficulty many African men face in finding spaces where vulnerability is possible.

This is an open, reflective conversation that moves between personal experience and wider social questions, without rushing toward conclusions.

⚠️ Explicit content:

This episode includes discussion of sexual abuse, violence, mental health, and suicide.

Book recommendation:

The Will to Change: Men, Masculinity, and Love — bell hooks

One year into African Men Speak, this is me reflecting on the journey so far. I look back on how I approached the work, what I actually did, what changed for me, and why the project is moving more slowly — and more deliberately — than I first imagined. 

In this monologue: 

• Why I resisted a single authoritative voice
• What slowed the project down (and why that matters)
• What I underestimated about African masculinities, research access, and scale
• Why restraint matters more than output at this stage 

African Men Speak is a long-form project exploring African masculinities through conversations, short street interviews, reading, and reflection — centred on plurality, accountability, and lived experience. 

This work needs time — and I’m finally okay with that.

In this episode, we talk about Greg's personal journey across multiple countries, highlighting his morning routine, career growth, and family life. They explore topics such as adapting to new environments, multicultural parenting, marriage responsibilities, and the importance of communication and perspective-taking in relationships. We also discuss negotiation, friendship dynamics, and redefining legacy through success and happiness.

In the sixth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man shares his views on masculinity, shaped by both traditional roles and modern realities. He reflects on the pressures African men face today — from navigating relationships with increasingly independent women to reconciling personal values with societal change. The man argues that while mentorship and education are essential tools for young men, maintaining strength and masculine clarity in relationships is equally important. His reflections, both personal and pointed, raise uncomfortable but necessary questions about how gender roles evolve — and who gets to define them.

In the fifth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan woman reflects on shifting perceptions of masculinity within her community. She challenges the long-standing expectation that men must always appear strong and emotionless, instead advocating for a more human, supportive approach. By encouraging men to take time for themselves, seek help, and express vulnerability, her perspective adds to a growing call for a redefinition of masculinity that values emotional openness alongside responsibility.

In the fourth Five Questions conversation, a Zimbabwean woman reflects on traditional gender roles, racial identity, and the struggles of the coloured community in Southern Africa. She speaks about the breakdown of masculinity since the 1990s from her perspective, the challenges men face in expressing vulnerability, and how silence often leads to unhealthy coping. From the importance of mentorship and extended family guidance to the need for platforms where men can openly share, she emphasises that masculinity is ultimately a personal journey rooted in moral foundations.