Africa Straight Talk

We are re-posting some of our favourite past episodes!!!! The goal is to support, elevate and empower our fellow brothers and sisters from the continent to keep the momentum going. Stay tuned for more episodes. Kenyan-born artist, educator and entrepreneur, Kimani Muturi, tells us how he is turning the waste products of banana farming in Uganda into beautiful, export-quality fabrics and rugs. TexFad weaver working on a rug. Picture courtesy of http://www.texfad.co.ug

There are African immigrants who say they support MAGA and Trump. Are they genuine, naive, or just optimistic opportunists?

We were a little all over the place on this episode (in a good way of course) – what’s hot in America aka Kamala Harris, and how the diaspora can grow a spine.

Young people in Kenya have finally woken up and taken President Ruto and his government by the horns. It’s a bold and commendable and commendable in a continent where young people rarely question when old politicians tell them they are the leaders of tomorrow. Now the question is: what strategies do young people have to ensure this isn’t just another political dust storm that passes with the wind?

Episode 13: African leaders and their magic bag of tricks

Did you know that Nado, my co-host, met Bob Marley in Oakland and he autographed his record? I must add that Nado spoke about it as if he was meeting a friend on a random weekend! I don’t know how to feel about that…but I KNOW Kwesi must be extremely jealous Bob Marley looking at records at Wausi Records, Oakland in 1981 – Photo courtesy of Nado Vinyl record autographed by Bob Marley – Photo courtesy of Nado

Episode 129: Africa in crisis

Update: Kevin Kangethe, the man accused of murdering Maggie Mbitu in Boston has been re captured and is awaiting extradition to the US to face murder charges. Hopefully this time he won’t escape in a matatu!

Episode 127: News from around Africa

I know… but some are still writing 2023 as their year or are still on holiday-mode. The truth is …it would feel weird not to post this episode! Dr. Kwame Nkruma’s plan for Africa unification was a blueprint for European Union.

Episode 125: Accidental bombings and immigration

Episode 123: Land and other stories with Kwesi Wilson

Episode 120: The UN General Assembly and Other Stories

Episode 119: Let my People Go!

Niger is the latest but definitely not the last African country to have a coup. The question is, are coups the answer to getting the change Africans are searching for?

Paul Mackenzie Nthenge, a former taxi driver in Kenya, managed to convince his followers to starve themselves to death in order to meet Jesus. At least 600 people are missing, and of the more than 200 bodies recovered appear to have be missing organs, according to authorities. Have religious organizations become too powerful to regulate?

After nearly 40 years in power, Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has nothing to show for it. He’s blaming #homosexuality. Yes, it’s not the rampant corruption but adults having consensual same sex. Makes a lot of sense, doesn’t it?

“Until lions learn to tell their own stories, the tale of the lion hunt will always glorify the African hunter,” goes one African saying. We look at the lionesses who are bravely challenging the archaic Eurocentric tale of the hunt. We discuss the role films like the new Netflix docudrama series, “African Queens: Njinga,” are playing in telling Africa’s true story. The film stars British Nigerian Adesuwa Oni as Queen Njinga, who ruled the kingdoms of Ndongo and Matamba in present-day Angola from 1624 until her death on Dec. 17, 1663. It is was written by Kenyan filmmaker Peres Owino and another British Nigerian, NneNne Iwuji, and narrated by Jada Pinkett Smith.

Pope Francis was in South Sudan recently, but unlike his 2019 visit, no pictures have emerged of the pontiff kneeling down to kiss the feet of President Salva Kiir Mayardit. We think it’s because the Pope has probably seen the video showing Kiir peeing on himself, which the president somehow blamed on journalists.