October 13, 2014
South Africa: Tune Me What - Second Season Sunset Show
We can hardly believe that we have two seasons of Tune Me What? under our belt. As we've said before, we embarked on this journey with the intention of sharing the South African… Read more »
October 03, 2014
Burundi: Civil Society Fights Back but Will It Be Enough?
Media, opposition and civil society groups have been pushing back against government attempts to constrict political space, but as elections approach the fight will only get… Read more »
October 01, 2014
South Africa: Tune Me What - Caravan of Sound
There was an urban legend going around in the South African musical fraternity that Lloyd Ross, the founder of Shifty records, had managed to fund his alternative record label with… Read more »
September 30, 2014
Western Sahara: 'I'm Missing My Place in the World' - an Interview With Aziza Brahim
The Western Saharan singer reflects on a life away from home, the struggle for self-determination and her musical influences. Read more »
September 22, 2014
South Africa: Tune Me What - the Songs That Helped Bring Down Apartheid
In 1989, the future in South Africa seemed bleak and hopeless. The government had declared another State of Emergency which suspended certain meagre civil liberties and allowed… Read more »
September 09, 2014
Sierra Leone: Life in the Time of Ebola
Although most residents of Sierra Leone's capital have yet to witness Ebola firsthand, the outbreak has nevertheless affected virtually all aspects of daily life. Read more »
South Africa: Tune Me What - Thundering Towards Thirty
An iconic record company is out of hibernation to celebrate its 30th anniversary. Under normal circumstances, it would seem odd that a long moribund label would have a Lazarus… Read more »
September 08, 2014
Lesotho: It's Not Too Late for Lesotho to Get Back On Track
Lesotho's politicians have shown themselves to be capable of governing for the common good in the past. A return to this spirit is crucial now to avoid tragedy. Read more »
September 02, 2014
Africa: Who Are You Calling Corrupt?
Is claiming to be a leader in international development whilst presiding over structures that facilitate the loss of billions from Africa not a form of corruption itself? Read more »
South Africa: Miners Shot Down - Blood On Whose Hands?
Two years after 34 miners were killed by police at Marikana, a new documentary suggests responsibility goes to very top of the ANC. Read more »
August 29, 2014
Africa: "This Disease Is No Longer a Death Sentence" - Combating Cervical Cancer in Kenya
A potential breakthrough has been made in the treatment of cervical cancer, but it is issues of accessibility, affordability and education that remain key. Read more »
August 28, 2014
Africa: Africans Make Good in Hong Kong
Becoming a success in Hong Kong isn't easy, but for many African traders the potential to earn big makes it more than worth the effort. Read more »
South Africa: Tune Me What - Strangers On a Train
This week's episode began with a story about Leon meeting a random South African on the train into work after they recognised each other's accents. The odds are small that a former… Read more »
August 27, 2014
East Africa: Region's Missed Opportunity for Action On South Sudan
As people continue to suffer, the latest regional summit ended in little more than repeated promises. Read more »
August 20, 2014
South Africa: Tune Me What - South Africa's Most Wanted
Nelson Mandela once said that no-one truly knows a nation until one has been inside its jails. South African musicians may therefore know more than a thing or two about the… Read more »
August 18, 2014
Africa: Africa Rising - 'In Economics, the Majority Is Always Wrong'
Stories of Africa's economic boom rest on shaky foundations. John Kenneth Galbraith can help. Read more »
August 15, 2014
Burkina Faso: A Thousand Sankaras Come of Age
In 1987, Blaise Compaoré overthrew Sankara and took over the presidency. 27 years later, Sankara's ghost may be coming back to return the favour. Read more »
August 13, 2014
Africa: Africa Must Leapfrog Its Way to the Future
The conventional path for improving healthcare is to build more hospitals and train more doctors. But could Africa speed up progress by 'hacking' its way to success? Read more »
South Africa: Tune Me What - Going Bos in the Bush
In this episode, we join in the chorus of congratulations to wish the Oppikoppi music festival a happy 20th anniversary. The festival which began on a farm about 200km north of… Read more »
August 11, 2014
Zimbabwe: Uncertainty a Year On From Ruling Party's Election Victory
Amidst deep political frictions, Zimbabwe has found itself confronted by various economic challenges and contradictions. Read more »
August 08, 2014
Nigeria: 2015 - Momentum Swings Back Towards the Ruling Party
Through governorship elections and some clever politicking, the ruling People's Democratic Party seems to wresting the initiative back from the All Progressives Congress. Read more »
South Africa: Tune Me What - Betcha Didn't Know They Were South African
This week, we look at a few musicians in high-profile bands who many people don't realise are South Africans. 1960s British invasion band Manfred Mann, for example, was named after… Read more »
August 07, 2014
Africa: Poverty Is Not a Disease
As can be seen in the way the UN talks about poverty in its Sustainable Development Goals draft, its understanding of the problem is profoundly misconceived. Read more »
Somalia: 'Until Recently Dhaanto Was a Dying Art' - an Interview With Aar Maanta
The refugee from the Ogaden talks Somali music and dance. Read more »
August 06, 2014
Cameroon: Cameroonian Soul King Looks Back
Legendary Cameroonian saxophonist Manu Dibango reflects on his 65 years of musical journeys with nostalgia and wisdom. Read more »