Here’s a great episode from the archives of the wonderful Trapped History podcast – where hosts, Oswin and Carla, share hidden stories of unsung heroes.

In this episode, they introduce us to one of the most important – and most overlooked – cultural icons of the last 60 years: John La Rose. Helping to forge a Black British identity, John set up dozens of political, cultural and community organisations and campaigned for justice for the victims of police brutality and of the New Cross Fire. 

So it seemed obvious – and right – to name a street in his honour. But the backlash over the renaming of Black Boy Lane threw John and everything he stood for back into the cultural and political spotlight.

So tune in for this celebration of John’s life as Oswin and Carla — joined by their very special guest the magnificent Joris Lechene — try to understand how a simple street renaming can ignite intolerance and expose racism.

And as a bonus, you also get to hear Joris's nomination for the Trapped History Hall of Fame.

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We sit down with journalist, historian and speaker Paula Akpan to explore her debut book When We Ruled—an illuminating retelling of twelve pre-colonial African queens and warriors whose reigns spanned Nigeria, Rwanda, Madagascar, South Africa and beyond. Driven by a passion to fill the silences of mainstream history, Paula takes us through her research journey—navigating fragmentary archives, oral traditions and the toughest chapters to untangle.

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Gabon should be a model of prosperity—yet its oil riches were siphoned into offshore mansions and luxury fleets by the Bongo kleptocracy. From Omar Bongo’s 42-year dynasty to Ali Bongo’s rigged re-elections and the 2023 palace coup, we trace how pipedreams of development gave way to pipelines—and ask whether Brice Oligui Nguema can finally reclaim Gabon’s stolen promise.

Spend Abacha's Loot

Sources:

Gabon’s Bongo family enriched itself over 56 years of kleptocratic rule, spreading its wealth across the world

Has Gabon’s ‘all-powerful’ Bongo dynasty really lost its 55-year grip?

Gabon (1960-present)

Gabon’s first election after collapse of Bongo dynasty: What’s at stake?

Gabon votes in first presidential election since coup ended 55-year Bongo dynasty

Gabon: how the Bongo family’s 56-year rule has hurt the country and divided the opposition

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With one of Africa’s highest GDPs per capita, Gabon should be a model of prosperity—yet its oil riches were siphoned into offshore mansions and luxury fleets by the Bongo kleptocracy. From Omar Bongo’s 42-year dynasty to Ali Bongo’s rigged re-elections and the 2023 palace coup, we trace how pipedreams of development gave way to pipelines—and ask whether Brice Oligui Nguema can finally reclaim Gabon’s stolen promise.

Spend Abacha's Loot

Sources:

Gabon’s Bongo family enriched itself over 56 years of kleptocratic rule, spreading its wealth across the world

Has Gabon’s ‘all-powerful’ Bongo dynasty really lost its 55-year grip?

Gabon (1960-present)

Gabon’s first election after collapse of Bongo dynasty: What’s at stake?

Gabon votes in first presidential election since coup ended 55-year Bongo dynasty

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: ⁠itsacontinent.com/book⁠ ⁠ ⁠ We're on Buy me a Coffee too:⁠ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent⁠ Visit our website:⁠ itsacontinent.com⁠ Artwork by Margo Designs:⁠ https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com⁠ Music provided by Free Vibes:⁠ https://goo.gl/NkGhTg⁠ Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired:⁠ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...⁠ Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase:⁠ itsacontinent.com/book⁠⁠  ⁠ We're on Buy me a Coffee too:⁠ https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent⁠ Visit our website:⁠ itsacontinent.com⁠ Artwork by Margo Designs:⁠ https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com⁠ Music provided by Free Vibes:⁠ https://goo.gl/NkGhTg⁠ Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired:⁠ https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...⁠

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In this episode, we journey to South Africa to explore the life and legacy of Winnie Madikizela-Mandela — a woman who became a symbol of resistance and resilience. Known to many as the “Mother of the Nation,” Winnie’s story is one of fierce activism, personal sacrifice, and deep complexity. 

We are LIVE @ Hay Festival on June 1st! You can get tickets ⁠HERE⁠

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: ⁠itsacontinent.com/book⁠ ⁠ ⁠

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Andrée Blouin fought ardently for her belief in independence from imperial power. We look at her life, legacy and how colonial law impacted her experiences: from growing up in an orphanage, to losing her son from a treatable illness. Blouin used her experiences to advocate for women's rights both against traditional customs and European imperialism. How did she end up on the periphery of post-independent African history?

This episode was originally aired on February 6th 2023.

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  

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Warm Nights by Lakey Inspired: https://soundcloud.com/lakeyinspired/...

Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0 Unported— CC BY 3.0

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...

Sources for further reading:

Gender and Decolonization in the Congo: The Legacy of Patrice Lumumba

Who was the woman behind Lumumba?

Remembering the Congolese women who fought for independence

My country, Africa : autobiography of the black pasionaria

Overlooked No More: Andrée Blouin, Voice for Independence in Africa

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Mauritius is often seen as a paradise island, known for its stunning beaches and luxury resorts. But beneath this idyllic image lies a history shaped by colonisation, enslavement, and deep-rooted social inequalities. In this episode, we uncover the 1999 Mauritius Riots—an eruption of inter-ethnic violence following the death of beloved Creole seggae singer, Kaya, in police custody.

How did a musician’s death ignite nationwide unrest? What historical forces shaped the tensions between different communities? And how has Mauritius reckoned with these events decades later? Join us as we dive into the untold history behind the riots, the fight for justice, and the legacy of a fractured rainbow nation.

Sources:

Carroll, B. W., & Carroll, T. (2000). Trouble in paradise: Ethnic conflict in Mauritius. Commonwealth & Comparative Politics, 38(2), 25–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/14662040008447817

Shadow of ‘reggae riots’ still hangs over Mauritius

Mauritian Riot after murder of Berger Agathe

Mauritius: Communities of Paradise

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Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  

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During Belgium’s colonial rule, mixed-heritage children were branded a 'problem' by the authorities, taken from their families, and forced into an uncertain future. This episode explores their experiences, the lasting impact of these policies, and the ongoing fight for recognition and reparations.

Sources For Further Reading

Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  

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Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  

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We're exploring the life of Asantehene Prempeh I, the exiled king of the Asante Empire (modern-day Ghana). From his rise to power, supported by his mother Nana Yaa Kyaa, to his defiance of British colonial demands, Prempeh’s leadership threatened imperial ambitions, ultimately leading to his exile in the Seychelles for 28 years.

Prempeh’s resilience, diplomacy, and modernisation efforts shaped the Asante Kingdom’s history, even in the face of colonial oppression.

Sources:

TORDOFF, W. “THE EXILE AND REPATRIATION OF NANA PREMPEH I OF ASHANTI (1896-1924).” Transactions of the Historical Society of Ghana, vol. 4, no. 2, 1960, pp. 33–58. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/41405731. Accessed 19 Jan. 2025.

The History of Ashanti Kings and the Whole Country Itself and Other Writings

Asantehene Agyeman Prempeh I

Prempeh I in Exile

African Biographies

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Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book  

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