DDP Podcasts

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Guests

In this Mandela Day special from the Africa Policy Circle (APC) cohort, host Thelma Nyarhi, Researcher at DDP, is joined by Dr. Singo Mwachofi, Politics lecturer at the University of Nairobi and Deputy Director of SRIC in Kenya, and Gray Kalindekafe, Executive Director of NICE in Malawi. Together, they explore how African leadership can evolve to truly center the citizen.

About the Episode

Dr. Mwachofi analyzes the persistence of strongman politics, its impact on democratic institutions, and the role of global powers and regional bodies in shaping governance. He advocates for constitutional reforms that prioritize citizen agency.

Kalindekafe discusses the challenges citizens face in holding leaders accountable, highlighting the power of youth activism, digital media, and community-driven movements. He emphasizes the role of NGOs in promoting civic education and digital literacy.

In a joint dialogue, the guests reflect on ethical leadership, sustainable reforms, and the hope they see in Africa’s rising citizen-led momentum for change.

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Episode

In case you missed it, catch the waves re-run of the interview between our very own Dr Paul Kariuki and Shafiq Morton from The Voice of the Cape that airs on 91.3FM. The new segment, African Mirror in News Beat (every Thursday @12:32PM GMT +2) tackles African issues and on the 3rd of July 2025 discussed Africa's PAPSS effect on continental trade flows.

About the guest

Dr. Paul Kariuki holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Public Administration) from the University of

KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). He is the Executive Director of the Democracy Development Program

(DDP), a national think tank based in Durban, South Africa.

Dr Pedro Mzileni is a seasoned scholar with extensive teaching experience. He is senior lecturer in the Department of Sociology at the University of Zululand, South Africa. His research interest lie in decolonial theory, grassroots movements, political education and higher education studies.

In this episode, Dr Mzileni delve deeper into the underlying causal impact on the state of political and socio-economic affairs in South Africa.

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Episode

In case you missed it, catch the waves re-run of the interview between our very own Dr Paul Kariuki and Shafiq Morton from The Voice of the Cape that airs on 91.3FM. The new segment, African Mirror in News Beat (every Thursday @12:32PM GMT +2) tackles African issues and on the 28th of June 2025 discussed Africa's positioning following the Africa-USA Summit.

About the guest

Dr. Paul Kariuki holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Public Administration) from the University of

KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). He is the Executive Director of the Democracy Development Program

(DDP), a national think tank based in Durban, South Africa.

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Episode

In case you missed it, catch the waves re-run of the interview between our very own Dr Paul Kariuki and Shafiq Morton from The Voice of the Cape that airs on 91.3FM. The new segment, African Mirror in News Beat (every Thursday @12:32PM GMT +2) tackles African issues and on the 19h of June 2025 discussed Africa's positioning following the Africa-Russia Summit.

About the guest

Dr. Paul Kariuki holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Public Administration) from the University of

KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). He is the Executive Director of the Democracy Development Program

(DDP), a national think tank based in Durban, South Africa.

About the Podcast

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Episode

In case you missed it, catch the waves re-run of the interview between our very own Thelma Nyarhi and Shafiq Morton from The Voice of the Cape that airs on 91.3FM. The new segment, African Mirror on News Beat (every Thursday @12:32PM GMT +2) tackles African issues and on the 12th of June 2025 it focused on the constitutional tensions in Togo following the change of leadership title of the former president to President of the Council of Ministers.

About the guest

Thelma N. Nyarhi is currently pursuing her PhD studies in Anthropology at the University of Cape Town (UCT). Her research interests lie within migration, democracy, citizenship, identity and belonging. She is a Researcher at the Democracy Development Program (DDP), a national think tank based in Durban, South Africa.

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Episode

In case you missed it, catch the waves re-run of the interview between our very own Dr Paul Kariuki and Shafiq Morton from The Voice of the Cape that airs on 91.3FM. The new segment, African Mirror in News Beat (every Thursday @12:32PM GMT +2) tackles African issues and on the 15th of May 2025 discussed matters of debt on the continent following the Africa Union conference on Debt.

About the guest

Dr. Paul Kariuki holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Public Administration) from the University of

KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). He is the Executive Director of the Democracy Development Program

(DDP), a national think tank based in Durban, South Africa.

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Episode

In case you missed it, catch the waves re-run of the interview between our very own Dr Paul Kariuki and Shafiq Morton from The Voice of the Cape that airs on 91.3FM. The new segment, African Mirror in News Beat (every Thursday @12:32PM GMT +2) tackles African issues and on the 8th of May 2025 discussed Africa and America's multi-dimensional strategy.

About the guest

Dr. Paul Kariuki holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Public Administration) from the University of

KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). He is the Executive Director of the Democracy Development Program

(DDP), a national think tank based in Durban, South Africa.

Africa Connect is a podcast series aimed at exploring African topics around democracy. It runs on the theme: Deepening Democracy through information.

About the Episode

In case you missed it, catch the waves re-run of the interview between our very own Dr Paul Kariuki and Shafiq Morton from The Voice of the Cape that airs on 91.3FM. The new segment, African Mirror in News Beat (every Thursday @12:32PM GMT +2) tackles African issues and on the 24th of April 2025 discussed the AI Summit in KIgali, Rwanda.

About the guest

Dr. Paul Kariuki holds a Ph.D. in Administration (Public Administration) from the University of

KwaZulu Natal (UKZN). He is the Executive Director of the Democracy Development Program

(DDP), a national think tank based in Durban, South Africa.

Professor Khabele Matlosa is a visiting professor in the Center for African Diplomacy and leadership at the University of Johannesburg. He a seasoned political scientist and governance expert from Lesotho. He joined DDP to shares insights on Government of National Unity in South Africa, the role of SA as big brother in SADC, importance of regional integration, migration, and the role of civil society in Africa.

Prof holds a Ph.D. in Political Studies from University of Western Cape, a Master degree in Development Studies from Leeds University in the UK. He is the former Director of Political Affairs in the African Union Commission (2013-2021) and he serves as in the board of directors for Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (CSVR) in Johannesburg.