Africa Daily

Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, is experiencing rising temperatures, with extreme heat becoming a major challenge for residents, especially those in crowded neighbourhoods and open-air markets. With limited access to cooling infrastructure, the heat affects daily life, health, food security and the economy.In response, the city recently hosted an ‘Urban Heat Hackathon’, where teams developed innovative solutions to tackle the problem.In today's Africa Daily Alan Kasujja speaks to two of the hackathon winners, Tommy Charles and Glory Aminata Turay, to explore how technology and urban greening are helping residents adapt to and mitigate extreme heat.

Earlier this year, South African lawmakers passed the Expropriation Without Compensation Act. This is part of their country’s effort to address the injustices of the past. During the years of white minority rule, black South Africans were dispossessed of their land, some even forcibly relocated to areas far from business districts. But years before the current land act was passed, a pressure group called AfriForum, composed of white Afrikaners, travelled to the United States to lobby conservative politicians. They strongly argued that the land law would leave them at a disadvantage, even though the South African government reassured them this wouldn’t be the case. This culminated in US president Donald Trump issuing an Executive Order, suspending financial aid to South Africa. Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: ANC Deputy Secretary General Nomvula Mokonyane and political analyst Melanie Verwoerd.

The growth of women’s football in Morocco has seen more girls taking up the sport. The evidence of this can be seen in how many young girls play the beautiful game in their neighbourhoods, in the streets. It’s something which would not have happened 20 years ago. The success of women’s football there has also been reflected in the packed stadiums and the rising number of people watching the women’s national team- the Atlas Lionesses- on television. They are also the first North African and Arab squad to qualify for the Women’s World Cup. So what’s behind the growth in women’s football in Morocco? In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to 15 year old Imane on why she decided to play football, Atlas Lioness forward Rosella Ayane and Meskerem Tadesse Goshime, the Confederation of African Football’s head of women’s football.

It’s now two weeks since the rebel M23 group took over Goma in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo – so what has the experience been like for the city’s inhabitants? For today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to two people who live in Goma: one woman who has stayed and says finding food is almost impossible, and an activist who has fled the city after receiving threats of abduction and death from the M23.

One person living with HIV has described how these cut would change their life and said "please tell the American government that this is a death trap for us. If I don’t get my tablets next month and the following month, how much longer will I have to live?”USAID—the United States Agency for International Development—has funded life-saving aid across Africa for decades. Programmes assisting with famine, disease control, and poverty are now at-risk following President Trump's decision to cut its budget and merge the agency with the State Department. From HIV patients fearing a “death sentence”, to food aid programmes coming to a sudden stop, the effects are already being felt across Africa. Alan Kasujja speaks to Winnie Byanyima, Executive Director of UNAIDS, about the consequences of these cuts and whether African governments can step up in the face of an uncertain future for global aid.

South Sudan is facing another deadly cholera outbreak, with over 24,500 suspected cases and nearly 500 deaths, according to charity Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF). Overcrowding, poor sanitation and a lack of clean water are fuelling the crisis, while political instability and logistical challenges hinder the response. With a history of recurring outbreaks and 9 million people in need of aid, experts warn the situation could worsen. Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja speaks to Juba-based journalist Nichola Mandil and Dr. Harriet Akello Pasquale from South Sudan’s Ministry of Health.

This year it will be 30 years since Nigerian author and environmental activist Ken Saro-Wiwa was executed by the Nigerian military government for leading protests against environmental pollution caused by oil exploration. He remains an icon of resistance against environmental degradation beyond Nigeria. The campaigns he led saw the exploration of crude oil stopped in Ogoniland, in the country’s Niger Delta region, after it became clear oil spills had extensively polluted rivers and farmland, destroying the livelihoods of farmers and fishers. A report published by the United Nations Environmental Programme in 2011 said cleaning pollution in Ogoniland could take up to 30 years. Yet president Bola Tinubu recently announced that his government would begin negotiations to resume oil production in Ogoniland. This sparked protests from environmental rights groups who warned that the region was yet to heal from the damage wrought by decades of oil exploration. In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja has been speaking to lawyer and leading environmental activist Celestine Akpobari and Niger-Delta-based journalist Ndume Green. Producer: Peter Musembi

“What is the problem if South African investors invest in Congo? Why should it be Rwanda complaining, not the Congolese?” – Retired SANDF Lieutenant General Maomela Motau On Sunday the 26th of January 2025, the M23 rebel group took over the city of Goma in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. It followed intense fighting with the country’s main army. Since then, more than 700 people have been killed, with thousands more forced to seek refuge elsewhere. This comes as South Africa and Rwanda have been engaged in a war of words over their interests in the DRC conflict. South Africa says it’s part of a Southern African Development Community (SADC) peacekeeping mission. Rwanda, however, rejects this and accuses President Cyril Ramaphosa’s nation of getting involved purely to benefit from the mineral-rich country. But Rwanda’s own involvement in the DRC has raised eyebrows. Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Retired SANDF Lieutenant General Maomela Motau and Ugandan journalist and international relations expert Raymond Mujuni

“Growing up in Ogaden, I was surrounded by war - there was massacres and abuses. At a young age, I recall seeing looting and dead bodies everywhere. At the age of 12, I was arrested by government troops and imprisoned along with my whole family.”Ogaden, or the Somali region, is a remote area of Ethiopia – little known by much of the world. But in 1970s, Ethiopia and Somalia fought a war over it, and at the start of this century a conflict was waged between rebels from the Ogaden National Liberation Front and the central government . A peace agreement was finally reached in 2018 with the ONLF agreeing to give up their arms and the government pledging to allow them pursue their aims politically. But the ONLF now says it’s reassessing the peace agreement, because the government hasn’t fulfilled its side of the bargain. Today on Africa Daily, Alan gets the thoughts of a former rebel who set up a support group for her fellow female fighters, and from an academic who lays out why this dispute has proved so difficult to resolve. Producer: Mohamed Gabobe.

Rabies is a disease which is known across Africa, killing thousands of people each year through the bite or lick from an infected animal, usually a dog. However, we have the vaccines to protect dogs against rabies, and we also have the vaccines to protect humans against rabies. So why haven’t we eliminated rabies from Africa yet? With the help of two people who are dedicated to ending rabies, we find out what needs to be done to end this deadly disease.Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: Salima Kadaoui, founder of the SFT Animal Sanctuary in Morocco, and Andre Coetzer, Technical Director of the Global Alliance for Rabies Control.

Ghana’s Dr. Angela Tabiri is the first African to win ‘The Big Internet Math Off’, a global competition where mathematicians make complex ideas easy to understand.Once set on studying business, she found her true passion in maths, leading to a PhD in quantum algebra. Now, she’s mentoring girls, breaking STEM stereotypes and shaping Africa’s future in quantum science.Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to Dr. Tabiri about her win and the power of numbers.

In January 2024, Ethiopia made history as the first country in the world to ban the import of petrol and diesel vehicles, aiming to tackle fuel dependence and pollution. A year on, electric vehicles (EVs) are becoming a common sight in the capital Addis Ababa, but the country still faces major hurdles. There are issues around the high costs of the electric vehicles, limited charging stations, and a shortage of repair services. Despite these challenges, the government is determined to push forward, with plans to import 500,000 EVs by 2030. Alan Kasujja speaks to BBC correspondent Kalkidan Yibeltal and Hilina Legesse, VP of Ethiopia’s first EV manufacturer, Dodai.

“What makes this case more than difficult, what makes this case bitterly sad and bitterly frustrating, is that this didn’t have to happen” – Odette Geldenhuys, South African lawyer. In the mid 1990s, the South African government set up a Truth and Reconciliation Commission. It was aimed at looking into human rights violations and to promote dialogue between victims and perpetrators of political violence. At the end of its work in 2003, the commission recommended that 300 cases needed to be prosecuted, but this did not happen. Now, 25 families of those who lost their loved ones during apartheid, have taken president Cyril Ramaphosa to court, urging him to look into these cases. They allege that there were no prosecutions because there was political interference. Presenter: Mpho Lakaje Guests: Buyisiwe Njoko, Yasmin Sooka, Odette Geldenhuys

There are now many more stock markets in Africa than there were forty years ago. Ethiopia is the latest country to join the club after re-starting its stock market this month. But what role do they play in the economy of our countries, and how exactly do they work? The companies, the shareholders, the risks and the rewards are all explained as we look into whether stock markets are an engine of economic growth on the African continent. Presenter: Mpho Lakaje Guests: Abena Amoah, the Managing Director of the Ghana Stock Exchange and Japhet Imhanzenobe, financial lecturer at the Pan-Atlantic University in Nigeria.

Life in remote villages without electricity can be challenging: it’s difficult to power phones, to run businesses, work or study at night, and to keep food fresh. Food needs to be cooked using firewood or expensive and polluting generators. Yet that is the reality for 600 million African people living south of the Sahara who make up 83% of the world’s population without access to electricity. This week in Dar Es Salaam, several heads of states will be meeting with private sector leaders and international partners to discuss an ambitious plan called ‘Mission 300’ – aimed at powering up half those people within the next six years. Presenter: Peter Musembi.Guests: Miriam Hamisi or ‘Mama Shaban’ a food kiosk owner who was recently given access to electricity, and Joseph Nganga from Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet and the special envoy for Mission 300 at the conference.

US President Donald Trump’s return to the Oval Office raises pressing questions about how his policies will impact Africa. From trade and aid to health programs and climate policies, Trump’s first term saw cuts to foreign aid, shifts in trade priorities and the controversial Prosper Africa initiative. With his withdrawal from the WHO and the Paris Agreement, there are growing concerns about how these decisions will affect Africa’s health systems and climate change efforts. Africa Daily's Mpho Lakaje speaks with the BBC’s Samuel Lando in Nairobi and the BBC’s reporter in Abuja, Chris Ewokor to explore the potential ripple effects of Trump’s re-election on the continent.

Minnesota is home to the largest Somali community in the United States, but for many Somali refugees finding stability and employment has been a struggle.So Mariam Mohamed, a Somali woman living in Minnesota, co-founded Hoyo in 2015. It’s a business that provides empowerment and jobs to refugee women through the shared tradition of making sambusas, a popular Somali delicacy. This savoury snack has now become a hit in school cafeterias across the state. In today's episode, Alan Kasujja speaks to Mariam Mohamed and Hoyo co-founder Ghita Worcester about how sambusas have become a source of pride for Somali families and a culinary discovery for Minnesotans.

Today Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje sits down with firebrand South African politician Julius Malema, the leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF). They discuss a variety of topics ranging from the party’s ideology, its policy on immigration to its stance on nation building. The EFF lost its position as South Africa’s third biggest political party, following the May 2024 election. “There was a phenomenon that arose in South Africa of MK (Umkhonto Wesizwe Party) which we underestimated and never thought would have the impact it did”, Mr. Malema says of his party’s election performance. He also opens up about the recent departures of key EFF leaders, including the party’s co-founder and deputy president Floyd Shivambu.

Robert Katende is a man with a mission to use chess to bring about social change. In his home country of Uganda he works with thousands of disadvantaged children, those with disabilities, and even prisoners, to use chess as a means to provide useful skills for life. He’s even had his story portrayed in a film made by Disney, the 'Queen of Katwe'. Alan Kasujja talks to Robert to hear how this ancient game can be a catalyst for changing lives. Guests: Robert Katende and ‘Coach’ Julius

“She was buried in the same place where she was murdered, at the field in the crops.” Today on the podcast we hear about the life and death of Swedish-Somali journalist Amun Abdullahi Mohamed, who also worked to advocate for the advancement of women in Somalia. She was shot multiple times in the head by gunmen as she walked to her sorghum and watermelon farm in a rural part of Somalia, 40 kilometres from Mogadishu. She’d moved back to Somalia after years of threats and intimidation in Sweden because of her investigation into Al Shabaab’s recruitment of Somali youths in Stockholm in 2009. Presenter: Alan @Kasujja Guests: Abdulaziz Ahmed, Amun’s husband, and Abdalle Mumin, secretary general of the Somali Journalists Syndicate Producer: Layla Mahmood

In Lagos, some tenants are starting the year with a harsh ultimatum; pay double your rent or move out. With inflation at 34.8% and housing already consuming up to 60% of household income, many are struggling to keep up. Meanwhile, landlords report 80% of their tenants are defaulting and investors are abandoning the buy-to-let market due to poor returns. What’s driving this rental crisis and how is it impacting everyday Nigerians? BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to BBC journalist Bisi Adebayo who’s been following the story and Deyo, a tenant in Lagos navigating the fallout first hand.

It has become a worrying trend in Kenya. Out of nowhere, hooded men appear in unmarked vehicles wielding guns with the aim of kidnapping someone. Victims are then blindfolded and taken to places that are not officially recognised police stations to be interrogated. Foreign nationals have not been spared.Tanzanian human rights activist Maria Sarungi Tsehai says she was abducted by armed men in Nairobi last Sunday afternoon but released hours later. She’d fled to Kenya in 2020 seeking asylum after facing increasing threats. And last year, Ugandan opposition leader Kizza Besigye was reportedly kidnapped and taken to Uganda where he is currently facing a military court. In today’s episode, Alan Kasujja hears from a father whose son was abducted, and speaks to an investigative journalist about what’s behind this spate of kidnappings.

"I have seen presidents come and go, one after the other, but there’s no change. Poverty continues. So, I hope and pray that things change” - Armdando Sthole, Mozambican economic migrant in South Africa Today Mozambique’s president-elect Daniel Chapo will be inaugurated at a ceremony in the country’s capital, Maputo. It comes as the nation has been rocked by violence which has so far claimed the lives of more than 300 people. It all started on the 9th of October 2024, when the citizens of Mozambique voted in a national election. Daniel Chapo, the candidate of the ruling Frelimo, was subsequently declared winner over opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane, who rejected the election results. Since then, thousands of people have crossed the border into countries like Malawi and Eswatini. So, does the unrest in Mozambique threaten to destabilize southern Africa?Presenter: Mpho LakajeGuests: Mozambican journalist Fernando Goncalves, Hilda Katema from Malawi’s Department for Refugees and Mozambican expat Armdando Sthole

The latest offensive happened last week when the M23 rebels took Masisi, the administrative centre of the Masisi territory, in North Kivu. Days before, they’d captured another town Katale. Thousands of people have fled and been displaced by the fighting. The Congolese army fought back and reclaimed Masisi but the rebels have since regained control of the town. The M23 has held control over large parts of territory in the east since starting a renewed offensive late last year following the breakdown of peace talks between the presidents of DRCongo and Rwanda, who have been accused of supporting and arming the rebel group. In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja looks at M23’s advance, the response from the army and the humanitarian situation for those displaced by the fighting.

Snakes… they send a shiver down the spines of a lot of people… especially in Africa where their bites kill tens of thousands every year – mostly In rural areas – with farmworkers and children particularly affected. Many more are left permanently disabled. And yet these numbers may not actually represent the scale of the problem. It’s estimated that 70% of incidents go unreported, because people don’t always know the cause of death, many can’t get to health centres, and even when they can, health workers often don’t have access to anti-venom.In today's episode, Alan Kasujja speaks to Dr Blessing Kasenge, who’s campaigning for better access to antivenoms, and Rudo Nalondwa, a Zambian student who has first-hand experience of surviving a snakebite late last year.

On Wednesday, opposition leader Venâncio Mondlane returned to Mozambique after a two month self-imposed exile. He was greeted by thousands of his supporters at the main airport in the capital Maputo. Video shared on social media shows him kneeling with a hand on a bible declaring himself president-elect of Mozambique. This latest twist in the country’s post-election drama comes amidst heightened tensions and tight security. Deadly protests kicked off soon after the October 2024 elections which the country’s opposition have described as rigged in favour of Frelimo, a party which has governed since independence in 1975. Hundreds of people have been killed, property damaged and shops looted. In today’s Africa Daily Victoria Uwonkunda looks at the protests and what Venâncio Mondlane’s return means for Mozambique.

This week, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said genocide had been committed in Darfur by the Sudanese paramilitary Rapid Support Forces. He said the RSF was responsible for the murder of "men and boys - even infants", that it had committed brutal crimes of sexual violence against women on ethnic grounds, and that it had murdered civilians even as they tried to flee the conflict. He also announced sanctions on its leader, Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti. So will this have an impact on the RSF’s military operations? Presenter: Alan @Kasujja Guests: Former governor of Central Darfur, Adeeb Yousif, the BBC’s Mohanad Hashim, and Kholood Khair, a Sudanese political analyst and Yale Peace Fellow.

“The African National Congress right now is at a crossroads and that crossroads is as a result of one, the electoral performance in 2024 and two, some of the challenges that the country is facing” – Jamie Mighti, South African political commentator Today South Africa’s biggest political party, the African National Congress (ANC), is celebrating its 113th birthday. It comes nearly a year after it lost its parliamentary majority, for the first time since the end of apartheid. Its poor showing at the May 2024 national election was attributed to several factors including its failure to create enough jobs, provide uninterrupted electricity and clean water. As the ANC’s president Cyril Ramaphosa leads week-long celebrations, the party will be reflecting on its past successes and failures. So, today Alan Kasujja attempts to understand if Africa’s oldest liberation movement is still fit for purpose. Guests: ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu and political commentator Jamie Mighti

Over the past five years Ghana has seen a wave of Africans from the diaspora returning to their ancestral land. That’s because of initiatives like ‘The Year of Return’ which the government launched in 2019. Former president Nana Akufo Addo said “we believe we have a responsibility to extend a hand of welcome” and that ‘The Year of Return’ had been a “great success”. But this movement isn’t without controversy. While diasporans celebrate newfound opportunities and belonging, many local communities feel excluded from the economic benefits.BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to Ghanaian Culture Journalist Emmanuel Olele as well as Annabelle McKenzie, the Director of the Beyond the Return Secretariat, an initiative of the Ghana Tourism Authority.

2024 was a phenomenal year for women’s sport in Kenya. Amongst other achievements, women athletes won three of Kenya’s four gold medals at the Paris Olympics; in November, Kenyan women were first, second and third in the New York City Marathon; and on the very last day of 2024, double Olympic champion Beatrice Chebet smashed the women’s 5000 metre record with an incredible time of 13 minutes and 24 seconds.And yet the biggest news story about a sportswoman in Kenya last year was when Ugandan Olympian Rebecca Cheptegei was set on fire by her former boyfriend, dying days later. The brutal tragedy shone a light on the gender-based violence some female athletes face – and the risks they face. Success and talent can make them targets for predatory men, while low levels of education and exposure to male coaches at a young age can leave them isolated and vulnerable. Today on Africa Daily Peter Musembi speaks to Elizabeth Keitany, appointed as the executive in charge of safeguarding for Athletics Kenya this year, as well as former Olympic champion Nancy Chebet, one of the very few women who’ve made the transition from athlete to coach.

Tsitsi Dangarembga is a critically acclaimed Zimbabwean writer. She is known for her trilogy of semi-autobiographical novels- ‘Nervous Conditions’, ‘The Book of Not’, and ‘This Mournable Body'. She’s won awards, made films, been arrested for anti-government protests in her home country and lived in Zimbabwe and abroad. For the last episode in our ‘How I became me’ series, Alan Kasujja speaks to her about the choices and moments that shaped her life and her decision to become a writer.

In today's Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks to Franca Ma-ih Sulem Yong Akinboboye.She campaigns for a better understanding of mental health in Cameroon. She founded two NGOs, Positive Youths Africa which is based on encouraging positive mental health for young people and Afrogiveness which uses art therapy, amongst other methods, to help survivors of conflict and discrimination. Her work has reached an estimated 100,000 people. These include victims of the Boko Haram insurgency which has spilled over from Nigeria into Cameroon and the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon between English and French-speaking parts of the country.

Yesterday Alan and his BBC colleagues from South, East and West Africa gathered for a reminder of the big stories of 2024 – and to discuss how they’d shaped the continent. Today they pick up and look forward to the next year: so what can we expect to see in the news in 2025? With presenter Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja), Africa Daily’s @Mpholakaje in Johannesburg, East Africa Deployments Editor @RuthNesoba in Nairobi, and BBC journalist @Chrisewokor in Abuja.NOTE: Since the recording of this discussion the estimate for the number of dead in Mozambique has risen to 278 (source: local NGOs via Integrity Magazine).

Which news stories have stuck with you over the last year? Sudan? Mpox? The Gen Z protests? What about the cost of living? Alan Kasujja is joined by three BBC colleagues in South, East and West Africa to unpack the biggest issues which impacted the continent in 2024. With presenter Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja), Africa Daily’s @Mpholakaje in Johannesburg, East Africa Deployments Editor @RuthNesoba in Nairobi, and BBC journalist @Chrisewokor in Abuja.

"The power of live entertainment is unmatched." In today’s podcast, we explore the vibrant culture of African festivals and their growing impact on the continent's economy and global influence. Events like Flytime Fest in Lagos and Sauti Za Busara in Zanzibar draw thousands of visitors annually, fuelling tourism, hospitality, and cultural exchange.But what does it take to organise a music festival?Alan Kasujja speaks to Keke Hammond, Chief Operating Officer of Flytime Fest, and Journey Ramadhan, Managing Director of Sauti Za Busara.

What and who made you the person you are today? It’s a big question and the answer is different for us all. Over the festive period Alan Kasujja has been exploring this subject with people who have gone on to do amazing things in their lives. Today’s guest is the Right Reverend Dr Vicentia Kgabe, the Anglican Bishop of the Diocese of Lesotho. She grew up in Soweto in Johannesburg when there were no female priests but she says she knew from an early age knew that she wanted to become a priest. Her ambition caused some consternation within her family, a priest dismissed the idea and said she should focus on her education. So how did she manage to plot her path to go from a priest, to the head of a training college for clergy and finally to a position of leadership in the Anglican church when so many people told her it was impossible?

In 2018 Meaza Ashenafi made history when she became Ethiopia’s first female Chief Justice, transforming the country’s judicial system while breaking barriers for women. But her remarkable path began far from the courtroom, in a small town in Benishangul-Gumuz, in north west Ethiopia. In today's Africa Daily, she speaks to Alan Kasujja about her journey- her childhood, her law school days as the only woman in her class, defending human rights, being nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and what shaped her vision of justice.

‘‘I was a very ambitious young girl, I looked at Margaret Thatcher and Israeli Prime Minister, Golda Meir, and I said well, if they can do it at that level, why not me?’’ What and who made you the person you are today? It’s a big question and the answer is different for us all. Over the festive period Alan Kasujja will be exploring this subject with people who have gone on to do amazing things in their lives. In the first interview of this special series, Alan speaks to former Senegalese Prime Minister Dr Aminata Toure.As she pursued her education in France and the USA, Aminata was clear in her mind what she wanted to do: champion human and women’s rights.Her work on reproductive health in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and later with the United Nations would help her prepare a set of priorities for when her opportunity would come to serve in the government.But it wasn’t all work and she loved football and judo - interests her mother worried would stop her from finding a husband.

“My age was the most talked-about thing, but I turned it into my strength.” In today’s podcast, we’re serving up the ultimate recipe for success, featuring the extraordinary journey of Bridget Mangwandi, a 20-year-old South African who made history as the first black woman in her country, and the youngest in the world, to win MasterChef. Her final challenge on the show was to create a two-course meal celebrating African flavours with a modern twist – and she responded by reimagining her mother’s favourite dish. Her reward? The R1 million grand prize (about $55,000). For Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja speaks with Bridget about her journey, her love for food, and how she’s a better cook than her Mum.

“For people to be seeing me like this today, I feel embarrassed. I won’t lie to you. There are times when I want to go home and talk to them, but I’m thinking I might get rejected” - Brian Singh, a homeless man in Durban, South Africa Around this time of the year, Durban in South Africa attracts hundreds of thousands of local and international visitors. This is due to its warm weather, sea, theme parks, restaurants, bars and affordable accommodation. Sadly though, not everyone is walking around the streets of the coastal city with a broad smile on their face. Today Africa Daily’s Mpho Lakaje visits Durban and meets people who’ve been homeless for years due to various reasons, including joblessness and family disputes. So, how are people in such situations spending Christmas?

In today’s episode, our presenter Alan Kasujja meets South African musician and writer Lebohang Morake. Popularly known as Lebo M, he co-wrote and sang the music for the Disney movie The Lion King back in 1994. 30 years later he is doing the same for the prequel Mufasa: The Lion King, he was in London to attend the film’s premiere. He talks to Alan about how he went from the slums of Soweto to the red carpets of the world. “I’m born into the most racially divided society in the world, South Africa. I’m born into apartheid. That means, I don’t know what it is like to be in a ‘multiracial environment’ until I get to America”, he tells our presenter.

After 50 years of Assad family rule, Syrians are celebrating the fall of Bashar al-Assad after rebel forces captured Damascus. But his fall isn’t just Syria’s story - it’s one with global implications. In Africa, countries that rely on Russian paramilitary support from groups like Wagner, also known as the African Corps, are bracing for potential impacts. Disrupted security alliances, risks of militants returning home, and heightened instability are all major concerns. To unpack how this may reshape North and West Africa, Alan Kasujja is joined by experts Beverley Ochieng and Rabeb Aloui.

For more than a year the Somali government has been using security cameras as a key part of its strategy for countering the violence of the Islamist group al-Shabab within the capital city. Many businesses installed CCTV as requested and according to many residents it has had a positive impact on crime and in making people feel safer. But, in response, al-Shabab has shot dead a number of businessmen, leaving the business community feeling very vulnerable and unsure whether to leave the cameras up or take them down. One told Africa Daily he feels like he’s trapped between two ‘flames’: al-Shabab on the one side, and the government on the other. But Mohamed Ahmed Diriye, who’s in charge of security for the government in Mogadishu, says the use of cameras has led to a reduction in bombings, and that the government is deploying more security forces to try to reassure the business community.Producer: Mohamed Gabobe

Isabel Dos Santos is the eldest daughter Jose Eduardo Dos Santos, the former president of Angola and she was once described as one of the richest women in Africa- with an estimated fortune of $2 billion. But over the last four years her life has changed dramatically. She’s faced lawsuits, her assets have been frozen in several countries and in 2022 global police agency Interpol issued a red notice calling for her to be arrested. Her critics say she’s used her position and influence to enrich herself.She says all accusations against her are politically motivated by the government that followed her father. In today’s Africa Daily, Alan Kasujja talks to Isabel Dos Santos about the allegations against her and how she became so wealthy.

"It’s not your typical ‘white Christmas’ where you’re sitting around sipping hot cocoa with family. No… it’s back-to-back parties, beach parties, pool parties, concerts featuring global superstars. That's what Detty December is!" This festive season, known as Detty December, transforms Lagos and Accra into buzzing hubs of celebration. It’s a time when members of the diaspora, jokingly called IJGBs (I Just Got Back), return home to reconnect with family, indulge in the energy of West Africa, and join the festivities. Over the years, Detty December has grown into a global phenomenon, celebrated for its electric vibe and unforgettable memories. However with inflation rising and living costs soaring, how will 2024's Detty December unfold- will locals feel excluded, or can they benefit from the boom in tourism? Alan Kasujja explores the energy, culture, and questions surrounding this year’s festivities with guests Michael Sonariwo, Akosua Shirley, and Jola Ayeye.

In December 1944, Senegalese troops who fought for France in World War II were killed for demanding the pay and dignity they were promised. The Thiaroye Massacre, long shrouded in silence, is now officially acknowledged by France, shedding light on a dark chapter of colonial history and its lasting impact on Senegal and beyond. BBC Africa Daily’s Alan Kasujja spoke to Mamadou Faye, based in BBC’s Dakar bureau, about the massacre, the historical context behind the killings and the lasting impact this tragic event has had on Senegal.

“I’m not sure if Egypt is looking to replace the dollar at the moment. I’m not sure even BRICS wants to do that at the moment” - Wael Gamal, Egyptian Initiative for Personal Rights US president-elect Donald Trump recently threatened BRICS member states with 100% tariffs, should they go against his country’s currency. “We require a commitment from these countries that they will neither create a new BRICS currency, nor back any other currency to replace the mighty US Dollar”, he told his social media followers. He further said, these nations “should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful US economy”. BRICS is an acronym for a bloc of five states, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Founded in 2009, it aims to promote economic co-operation and increase multilateral trade and development among member states. Trump’s remarks come after the bloc welcomed new members including Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran and the United Arab Emirates. Presenter: Alan Kasujja Guests: John Steenhuisen and Wael Gamal

As the holiday season approaches with its parties, dinners and festive gatherings, one trend is emerging: a growing number of people are choosing to celebrate without alcohol. The “sober curious” movement is gaining traction, especially among younger generations focused on health and wellness. BBC Africa Daily’s Muthoni Muchiri sits down with Ghanaian author and entrepreneur John Asogonnde, who has not only given up alcohol but also built a business around it. He’s the founder of Eden Bar, Ghana’s first non-alcoholic bar.John shares his personal journey, the challenges of going alcohol-free and how his bar has been received in Accra.

Ghana: it’s done it again. Leading the way when it comes to showing the continent how to do democracy. On Sunday, ruling party candidate and Vice President, Mahamudu Bawumia, conceded defeat even before the official result had been declared.But John Mahama, the country’s next President - who is also a former president – inherits some really tough challenges – especially finding solutions to the country’s economic woes.Alan Kasujja gets the latest from BBC presenter James Copnall, who’s been speaking to voters in Accra.

Warning: This podcast includes description of sexual violence. “I’ve worked in this situation for more than 25 years. And for me it’s not acceptable to stay in the operating room waiting for patients, and treat them, treat their children and treat their grandchildren. This is not acceptable.” Dr Dennis Mukwege set up the Panzi Clinic in Bukavu, Democratic Republic of Congo in 1999. It was initially set up to help women in childbirth, but it quickly changed its focus to treating women raped and brutalised by the different armed groups fighting in the East of the country. It has since treated more than 83,000 survivors of sexual crimes, and in 2018 Dr Mukwege received the Nobel Peace Prize for his work. And yet, decades on, he says little has changed and the civilian population is still unprotected from the brutality. Earlier this year the UN’s Monusco peacekeeping force withdrew from South Kivu – where Dr Mukwege’s clinic is based – under pressure from the Congolese government which accuses it of failing to protect civilians. But its planned withdrawal from North Kivu has been postponed due to fears that the Congolese army is unable to fill the vacuum - leaving civilians even more at risk. In this interview with Africa Daily, Dr Mukwege says it’s time the global community stepped in to help – because while civilians suffer, “the wealth of Congo is serving all the world”.