Finding the Right Words
Radio Workshop
In honor of Youth Day and the enduring resilience of South African students since the 1976 student protests, we're re-releasing Finding The Right Words. Meet Nonhlanhla Mashabana, a spelling bee champion and high-achieving high school student who has the odds stacked against her. Growing up poor in post-Apartheid South Africa, she carries the weight of her family's hopes for a better life. As she walks down a road that has caused so many to stumble, how will Nonhlanhla navigate a broken education system? Find out what happens next in episode two, Adulthood is Knocking, dropping soon.
info_outline
Greener Pastures
Radio Workshop
Ruby is a 30-year-old mother of three, and she’s ready to do whatever it takes to give her kids a better life. Even if it means leaving her family in Zimbabwe to become a live-in care worker in the UK. Now, halfway across the world from everyone she loves, Ruby works around the clock to make enough money to bring her family together again. But can Ruby sustain the punishing routine long enough to pull it off? Acknowledgements: Veryus Studio in Harare, Hindenburg, The Ann Levy Trust, The Shin Creek Trust, Luminate and The Ford Foundation.
info_outline
Unholy Treatment
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 - Human Rights Watch - International Religious Freedom Report for 2012 - Open Democracy - Outright International - Ugandan Parliament - Victory City Chuch, Kampala - Acknowledgements: The...
info_outline
It's Complicated
Radio Workshop
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 - 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. ...
info_outline
Zambia's Sacrifice Zone
Radio Workshop
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?
info_outline
Farewell Nigeria
Radio Workshop
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?
info_outline
My Whistle My Voice
Radio Workshop
[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.
info_outline
Finding the Right Words
Radio Workshop
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?
info_outline
Kenya Rose
Radio Workshop
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 ,...
info_outline
Revisiting How to Hire a President
Radio Workshop
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...
info_outlineOn 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.