Let’s Talk Human Rights

Let’s Talk Human Rights – A podcast investigating the current state of human rights in Africa.

Even in democratic constitutional states, human rights violations occur on a regular basis. However, emerging and developing countries, like most African countries, are particularly affected. 

This podcast series takes us on a journey through sub-Saharan Africa and together, we will meet witnesses from East, West and Southern Africa.

These witnesses will share their current experiences, looking specifically at human rights violations with regards to education, women and children rights, racism, xenophobia, LGBT+ rights and press freedom, to name a few.

A special thank you goes to the Ugandan musician, opposition leader and presidential candidate Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu, popularly known as “Bobi Wine”, who generously made his song "Situka!" available to our podcast, –“Let’s Talk Human Rights”.
Proudly brought to you by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom in sub-Saharan Africa.
English South Africa Politics · Government
23 Episodes
1 – 20

S01.E01 - South Africa's dark past and present with judge Edwin Cameron

In this very first episode, we start our journey in South Africa. We interview the well renowned South African lawyer and retired judge from South Africa’s Constitutional Court, Judge Edwin Cameron, who is in conversation with Nangamso Kwinana of the Africa Liberal Network. Judge Cameron gives us deep insights into…
Season 1 / Episode 1 43 min

S01.E02 - Zimbabwe after Mugabe with David Coltart and Dumisani Muleya

Today on the second episode of Let’s Talk Human Rights podcast, we travel to Zimbabwe. About a year ago, the former president, Robert Mugabe, passed away at the age of 95. After 37 years in power, he was overthrown in a military coup only two years earlier, in 2017. Mugabe's…
Season 1 / Episode 2 45 min

S01.E03 - 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children

As you may have noticed, 16 days of activism for no violence against women and children starts today. We want to take this opportunity to dedicate today's podcast episode to women in Africa. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom has set itself the mandate of advancing women rights causes in…
Season 1 / Episode 3 43 min

S01.E04 - International human rights day special with Bobi Wine and Nicholas Opiyo

In our fourth episode, we have two guests from Uganda visiting us. Nicholas Opiyo, a leading human rights lawyer and founder of Chapter Four Uganda, an organisation that provides research, advocacy, and outreach services to contribute to laws, policies, and practices in the interest of civil liberties and human rights…
Season 1 / Episode 4 39 min

S01.E05 - Mali's human rights crisis

Have you ever thought about what it is like to grow up or live in place that is in a constant crisis? Terrible reports of war, terror and human rights violations? Today, we want to take you on a trip to West Africa. More precisely, to Mali. Unfortunately, we often…
Season 1 / Episode 5 40 min

S02.E01 - The anglophone crisis in Cameroon - Part 1

Our next series of episodes will introduce you to the very people who actively stand up for human rights in Africa despite strong headwinds, and the work they do as Human Rights Defenders. We will meet Human Rights Defenders from different countries, listen to their stories, and learn what motivated…
Season 2 / Episode 1 43 min

S02.E02 - Rwanda and human rights since the 1994 genocide

Today, we find ourselves in Rwanda. Rwanda, officially the Republic of Rwanda, is also known as the land of a thousand hills. Rwanda shares borders with Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of Congo. In 2017, President Paul Kagame was elected to a third seven-year term. According to official…
Season 2 / Episode 2 40 min

S02.E03 - Do Kenyan female human rights defenders get the protection they need?

In today's episode, we will be focusing on Kenya. Unfortunately, arbitrary arrests, police violence, forced disappearances and intimidation attempts against the civilian population are part of the sad everyday life in Kenya. In recent years, an increasing number of reports has noted the growing difficulties of human rights organizations in…
Season 2 / Episode 3 38 min

S02.E04 - 16 days of activism with Barbara Itungo Kyagulanyi

As you may know, 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence starts today. We want to take this opportunity to dedicate today's podcast episode to women in Africa. This is the second time that we feature a special episode on 16 Days of Activism. If you missed last year’s special…
Season 2 / Episode 4 32 min

S02.E05 - International human rights day special II with Bobi Wine

On this International Human Rights Day, we are very pleased that Hon. Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu has taken the time to join our podcast for a second time. He is better known under his stage name H. E. Bobi Wine. Bobi Wine is a Ugandan politician, Presidential Candidate, activist, singer, actor, businessperson…
Season 2 / Episode 5 29 min

S03.E01 - The anglophone crisis in Cameroon - Part 2

Our journey is taking us back to Cameroon. If you missed our previous Cameroon episode, please listen in. Our last episode explored the anglophone crisis in Cameroon. In this episode, we want to look at how things are going in Cameroon these days. Currently the two English speaking regions of…
Season 3 / Episode 1 32 min

S03.E02 - The battle for the soul of South Sudan

The oil rich South Sudan has been engulfed in ethnic violence since December 2013 and over 400 000 people have died since the conflict started. Numerous attempts to build peace have failed, including the pact that saw opposition leader Riek Machar return as Vice President in 2016, only to run…
Season 3 / Episode 2 50 min

S03.E03 - La fille de la RDC : Courage, persévérance et espoir

Nous vous souhaitons la bienvenue à notre podcast spécial "Parlons Droits de l'Homme". Aujourd'hui, nous vous emmenons dans un voyage à travers le paysage des Droits de l'Homme en République démocratique du Congo. Notre collègue, Mme Mascheba Mdaka, se joint à notre invité Mme Rebecca Kabuo. Rebecca représente une nouvelle…
Season 3 / Episode 3 32 min

S03.E03 - The girl from Goma, DRC: A story of courage, persistence and hope

We warmly welcome you to our next “Let’s Talk Human Rights” special podcast feature. Today, we take you on a journey through the human rights landscape of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Our host, Masechaba Mdaka is joined by Ms Rebecca Kabuo. Rebecca represents a new generation of activists from…
Season 3 / Episode 3 43 min

S03.E04 - Alternative rights of passage for girls is nice

In the latest episode of Let's Talk Human Rights podcast. Host Masechaba Mdaka is joined by Nice Nailantei Leng’ete, a Kenyan human rights activist advocating for an alternative right of passage or ARP for girls in Africa and campaigning to stop Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). According to the February 2022…
Season 3 / Episode 4 47 min

S03.E05 - "Show me the money" - The real truth behind human trafficking

"Show me the money, the economy of human life, the real truth behind human trafficking." Today we look at the increasing threat and prevalence of human trafficking. The International Labour Organisation believes there are almost 21 million victims of trafficking around the world. The UN's most recent report found almost…
Season 3 / Episode 5 47 min

S03.E06 - The Malabo protocol on the African court - Can justice be served?

According to the website of the International Service for Human Rights, the United Nations Declaration on Human Rights Defenders defines a human rights defender as anyone working for the promotion and protection of human rights. This broad definition encompasses professional as well as non-professional human rights workers, volunteers, journalists, lawyers…
Season 3 / Episode 6 43 min

S04.E01 - The wrong side of right, counting the cost for whistleblowers

The Wrong Side of Right, Counting the Cost for Whistleblowers. As many of you may know, the first part of the Zondo Commissions report was published on 4 January 2022. The fifth and final part was published on 22 June 2022. This after four years of an enquiry and investigation…
Season 4 / Episode 1 45 min

S04.E02 - Access denied! My right to self not authorised. The plight of LGBTQIA+ communities

“Access Denied! My right to self not authorised” The plight of LGBTQIA+ communities in an increasingly intolerant world”. In 2019, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation launched a campaign titled “An African Thing”. The significance of this campaign was to empirically document how many instances in various African cultures and societies where…
Season 4 / Episode 2 50 min

S04.E03 - Knowing your Digital Rights, Part 1 - The Murky Space of Cyberspace

Africa is undergoing a remarkable transformation with an exponential surge in internet connectivity, marking a significant milestone in the continent's technological advancement. However, this commendable progress in bridging the digital divide comes with a stark and concerning juxtaposition – Africa finds itself trailing behind in the crucial realm of cybersecurity…
Season 4 / Episode 3 38 min
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