Radio Workshop

Bana Mwesige was 12 years old when he joined the church choir. Singing was his sanctuary. But now, at age 28, Bana can’t bring himself to sing gospel anymore. It’s not his faith in God that has wavered, it’s his faith in the church. When his pastor tried to "cure" him from what needed no curing, Bana felt something inside of him break.

Sources:

• Human Rights Council - The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity
• Human Rights Watch - Dignity Debased: Forced Anal Examinations in Homosexuality Prosecutions
• International Religious Freedom Report for 2012 - Uganda
• Open Democracy - Anti-gay ‘therapy’ offered at Uganda health centres run by aid-funded groups
• Outright International - The Fight To End Conversion Practices in Africa
• Ugandan Parliament - The Anti-Homosexuality Act 2023
• Victory City Chuch, Kampala - “If God Did It For Others He Can Also Do It For Me”
  

Acknowledgements:

The Stephen J. Hendrickson Foundation, the Ann Levy Trust, the Shin Creek Trust, and the Ford Foundation. 

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Dating is complicated. Not to mention dating on the apps! And for LGBTQI+ folks on the African continent, where many countries criminalise queerness, it’s even MORE complicated. We asked reporters in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Namibia to share how they navigate the highs and lows of seeking romance, community and friendship online. Despite all the pitfalls, love calls out to all of us.

Sources:
Amnesty International - Africa: Barrage of discriminatory laws stoking hate against LGBTI persons 

Acknowledgments:
Produced by Radio Workshop and Context News. This episode would not have been possible without the support of the Free To Be Me program at Hivos. 

 

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Oliver grew up in Kabwe, one of the most toxic towns in the world. His mom wouldn't even let him play outside because the land, wind, and air are so heavily polluted from nearly a century of lead mining. Now 18, Oliver sees a new wave of mining sweeping across Zambia. This time, mining companies want to extract minerals for the clean energy boom. Oliver faces a choice: fight the industry as an activist, or join it to change it from within?

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Damola is waiting for an email that will change her life… A Canadian visa. Six months ago, she decided to emigrate. Despite a fulfilling career as a dentist, Damola wants out. And she’s ready to leave behind everything and everyone she knows including her recently widowed mother. According to a recent survey, 70% of Nigerians aged 15 to 35 want to leave the country. How did Nigeria get here?

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[Trigger Warning: Mentions of sexual harassment, rape and child abuse]

Lella Miskir is tired of the constant harassment she and other women in Ethiopia experience on the daily. In response, Lella now walks through the streets of Addis Ababa, armed – with a small, red whistle. Her online campaign, #MyWhistleMyVoice, encourages women to blow their whistle every time a man catcalls them, acts inappropriately towards them or assaults them. It’s giving women confidence and hope, but blowing the whistle on men’s bad behaviour has been met with backlash and even threats to Lella’s life.

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South African spelling bee champion, Nonhlanhla Mashabana, faces her greatest challenge to date: her final year of high school and the precarious and uncertain transition to higher education. There's a lot standing in her way: growing up poor in post-Apartheid South Africa, the weight of carrying the family's hopes of a better life, and the fear of being the first to leave home. As she walks down a road that has caused so many to stumble, how will Nonhlanhla navigate a broken education system?

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On June 18th, thousands of young Kenyans swiftly mobilized against a proposed tax increase that would significantly raise daily living costs, particularly affecting the most vulnerable. Thousands of peaceful protestors in the streets of Nairobi were soon met with a violent response from police. Reports indicate 39 people were killed, with countless others wounded and unlawfully arrested. The dust is now settling. Friends lost in the fray are being found. Grieving for the dead is just beginning. We wanted to find out: what have young people in Kenya actually won? 

 

Sources:

News
Kenya's young protesters plot next moves after dramatic tax win, Reuters
‘I concede’: Kenya’s president pulls controversial bill after deadly protest, CNN
After deadly protests, Kenyans tell of brutal abductions, New York Times
Kenya on the Brink | A roundtable interview with President William Ruto, Citizen TV Kenya
Kenya protests were 'treasonous' says William Ruto, BBC Africa

Organisations 
Kenyan Human Rights Commission 

Acknowledgements:
This episode was made possible through the support of Luminate.

 

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We can only do this work because of your support. You can make a donation at radioworkshop.org.

Many young South Africans weren't sure who to vote for ahead of South Africa's elections in late May. But, many of them told us they wanted new leadership. The results of the election reveal that uncertainty as no one party won a clear majority. In fact, the African National Congress will have to create a coalition government for the first time in their 30 years holding office. A development leading to more anxiety and uncertainty since no one knows what to expect. In case you missed it, we're revisiting our election episode to hear once again the voices of young people wrestling with where South Africa should go next.

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Rihanna was just 19 years old when she was arrested for being trans in Uganda. It was 2014. She spent 9 months in prison - an ordeal that tore a rift between her and her God-fearing mother. In this episode, we hear how her arrest radically changed the course of their lives - and how Rihanna’s mom unexpectedly became a staunch ally. This is the second in our two-part series on LGBTQ rights in Uganda, as the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 turns a year old.

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Young South Africans are confused about who to vote for. This year, there are dozens of parties to choose from on the ballot paper. But for many young voters, having lots of options doesn’t make it any easier. With a presidential election just around the corner, Radio Workshop reporter Naomi Grewan asks young people "Why?” and "How are you going to figure it out?"

 

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We can only do this work because of your support. You can make a donation at radioworkshop.org.