The Comb

Righting an historic wrong: How a quest to reclaim the sacred Ngonnso statue, taken from the Nso community 120 years earlier, led Vernyuy on an emotional journey to reconnect with her Cameroonian roots – and resolve a crisis of identity.

Produced by Kim Chakanetsa

Unpicking stories that matter to you. The Comb returns on 13 January 2023

“I was trapped in my own skin”: The illegal trade which preys on prejudice. How skin colour discrimination is still exploited with harmful black market products. Ellen’s skin bleaching nightmare had a devastating impact on her - both physically and mentally. And the prejudice which drives many to take drastic measures hasn’t gone away. Mercy tells how her dark skinned daughter wants to look like Elsa, a white Disney princess. So why does she want her skin to be ‘peach’ not ‘black’?

‘I was scared of the night’: When Vasco's parents died in a car accident, his childhood was transformed into a struggle to survive. He started as a young child sleeping at his father's grave, but ended up in a spiral of gangland crime and violence on the streets. Why are more children in Zambia ending up on the streets?

‘I would have been lost’: When Mutuna was orphaned at a young age, his extended family stepped in to help. Now as an adult, he sees more and more children begging on the streets, and wonders how their lives ended up differently

How a rower's victory became a symbol of hope in post-apartheid South Africa. Sizwe Ndlovu became the first black African to win an Olympic rowing gold. Sizwe says that day changed the rest of his life. This is a guest episode from the World Service show, On The Podium, which brings you the stories behind the medals, originally released on 30 June 2021. The second season of On the Podium begins 18 June 2022. Search for On The Podium wherever you found this podcast.

Misinformation and miracle cures: After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Grace Ajuma Gift was told about many different treatments and cures which ranged from herbal remedies to starch-free diets - Grace tried many of them. The misleading advice she received may have cost Grace her life. A Kenyan oncologist talks about the prevalence and perils of cancer misinformation.

‘I ran away’: For many years, Brahim and Maymouna were enslaved. They were born into Mauritania’s slave caste - the Haratin and denied their liberty, even though slavery has been officially banned. It was only when Brahim was a teenager that he gradually began to question and resist his circumstances. From an early age, Maymouna’s life revolved around serving a master who treated her badly. Maymouna eventually escaped and has started to build a new life for herself.

Making the invisible visible: After her father was abducted and killed in the Gambia, Nana-Jo Ndow, and her cousin Sirra started an organisation to raise awareness of the issue and set up a memorialisation centre. Now, survivors are starting to heal by sharing their stories and young people can learn about human rights. It’s usually men who are forcibly disappeared during dictatorships but women who are left behind to try to pick up the pieces - and they often risk their lives searching for answers.

‘I can’t just go down like this’: As a young entrepreneur, Eve Kibare had big dreams of growing her business and travelling the world but that all changed when she lost her sight. Now she is on a journey of adjustment and relearning, determined to live life on her own terms. And Eve shares her experiences on social media