African Men Speak

In the third instalment of our Five Questions series, a self-described soft-spoken Senegalese man who is not prone to aggression shares his perspectives on the dichotomy of growing up on two continents, where he has experienced different cultures and, by extension, different types and views of masculinity. He sees each generation has to go through this discourse by pushing the boundaries of what is normal (traditional), and it all depends on who is pushing the envelope. 

In the second of our Five Questions series, a Ugandan Man working in the diaspora speaks about how he sees contemporary views of masculinity, and how they differ with traditional views and also on the lessons he wishes to pass onto his sons despite them being halfway across the world. 

In the first of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man reflects on how parenting, masculinity, and responsibility have shifted across generations. He contrasts his upbringing with the challenges of raising children today, highlighting how community bonds have weakened and consumer culture influences modern priorities. From the pressures of being a firstborn son to questioning what it means to be a man, this conversation explores how personal reflection and honest dialogue can help men navigate identity, change, and care.

In this episode, I share why I started this podcast and my personal connection to exploring African masculinity. Growing up in Nairobi, hearing the phrase “boys don’t cry/ man up/ be a man,” and facing a personal crisis that reshaped my priorities, this episode sets the stage for the conversations ahead. I outline the journey we’ll take in Season 1, introducing the key themes, questions, and perspectives that will guide our exploration of manhood in African contexts.

In this inaugural episode, I share why I started this podcast about African masculinity. It began with a moment of reflection while travelling for work, questioning why I felt compelled to leave my family in Kenya to earn a living, and eventually leaving that role to start a family with my partner as the primary breadwinner. This led me down a research path exploring what it means to be an African man in today's world. I explain why I chose podcasting as the medium, my hopes for the journey ahead, and the reactions I've received from family and friends. I'm excited to explore diverse perspectives across Africa's rich cultures, even though I'm nervous about what I might discover about myself along the way. This marks the beginning of a 24-episode exploration into African masculinity, featuring conversations, research, and personal reflection.