In this momentous season finale episode, the recording of the Let’s Talk Human Rights podcast takes centre stage in Siha District, nestled within the vibrant Kilimanjaro Regions of Tanzania. Our host, Masechaba Mdaka, is joined in person by two remarkable individuals, Elizabeth Mushi and Daniel Siphael, representing the Kilimanjaro Women Information Exchange and Community Organisation (KWIECO). This organisation staunchly advocates for justice, human rights respect, and gender equality in...

This is part two of the episode taking an in depth look at digital rights and digital security. In this episode, we will delve into the practicalities of overcoming the challenges of censorship,surveillance, and strategies curtailing freedom of expression. In our modern era, where we champion various freedoms and associated rights, it's curious that we continue to grapple with a persistent challenge. This challenge often hinges on justifying actions under the umbrella of "national security...

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. This pressing issue took centre stage at the inaugural Africa Cybersecurity Summit held in Togo's vibrant capital, serving as a...

“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 homosexuality could be found before colonisation. Evidence of this is found in many of the artworks in different parts of Africa such as Ghana and Burkina...

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 which was preceded by two painstakingly long years and resources that cost taxpayers millions to uproot and uncover the plethora of ills that had been taking place in South Africa. For context, the Judicial Commission...

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 and anyone else carrying out, even on an occasional basis, a human rights activist. The Declaration further articulates existing human...

"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 half of the victims were forced to work typically in factories, restaurants, and building sites. The majority, 53% were exploited in the sex industry. 12 countries reported...

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 United Nations Population Fund statistics on FGM, 14 African countries, predominantly in the west, east and horn of Africa regions still practice FGM. As part of aspiration six priority...

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 génération d'activistes de la RD Congo. Elle est affectueusement connue comme "l'une des plus jeunes prisonnières politique au monde". Née à Goma, en RD Congo, en 1994,...

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 the DR Congo. She is affectionately known as “one of the youngest prisoners of conscience”. Rebecca was born in Goma in the DR Congo in 1994. She holds a degree in clinical psychology. She was...

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 away as fighting didn’t stop. A second peace settlement was signed in 2018, which mainly held with warring parties forming a coalition in 2020 and Salva Kiir and Riek Machar trying one more time to run...

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 Cameroon are witnessing an escalation of violence that has led to the death of several people. This is a result of violent confrontations between Cameroon’s military and the defence forces of Ambazonia...

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 and philanthropist. As of 11 July 2017, he serves as Member of Parliament representing Kyadondo East constituency in Wakiso District, in Uganda's Central Region. Today, we invite Hon....

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 episode, hosting Elizabeth Maro Minde from Tanzania as our guest, do listen to it wherever you listen to your podcasts. The Friedrich Naumann Foundation has set itself the goal to strengthen women in sub-Saharan...

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 Kenya. The scope for action is shrinking. Particularly, legislative proposals have restricted the scope of action of Kenyan civil society in recent years....

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 figures he received 99 percent of the vote. As we already pointed out in our previous episodes, even in democratic constitutional states, human rights violations occur on a regular...

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 them to become Human Rights Defenders in the first place. Host Nangamso Kwinana is joined by Elvis Wepngong and Nora Shuyeh from Cameroon as well as Dr Michaela Lissowsky who is a Senior Advisor...

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 associate Mali with war, terrorism, ethnic tension and crisis. However, today, we would like to paint a clearer picture of the situation on the ground. Our host Nangamso Kwinana is joined by Alioune Tine, who is, amongst many...

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. Since 2005, Opiyo has worked tirelessly to promote civil liberties in Uganda, often on pro bono. He is the recipient of the 2017 German Africa Prize, the 2015 Voices for...

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 Sub-Saharan Africa and across the globe. The proportion of women in leading positions in business and politics is alarmingly low. Today we find ourselves in East Africa, more precisely in Moshi, the...

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 successor Emmerson Mnangagwa spoke of reforms for the country in that he now affectionately refers to as a new dispensation and second republic. We shall take a closer look at the situation on the ground and try to...

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. Judge Cameron gives us deep insights into South Africa's dark past and discusses the current human rights problems. Listen to his fascinating personal journey in the judiciary and his perspective of the country’s history.   If you are interested in our activities, follow us on Instagram, Facebook...