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.
Occasionally English South Africa Politics · Government
26 Episodes
1 – 20

S06.E01 - Getting it Right: Child Marriage Act in Malawi

In the new look and new sounding sixth season of the Let’s Talk Human Rights podcast, titled “Getting it Right – Championing Human Rights for Effective Governance”, our host Masechaba Mdaka explores the progress and successes in the human rights space across a range of critical issues, focusing on how…
30 Apr 36 min

S04.E05 - UN-CUT: Saying No to FGM and Child Marriages

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…
23 Nov 2023 46 min

S04.E04 - Knowing Your Digital Rights, Part 2 - The State VS the People

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…
4 Oct 2023 53 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…
4 Sep 2023 38 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…
21 Mar 2023 45 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…
28 Nov 2022 43 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…
31 Oct 2022 47 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…
12 Sep 2022 47 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…
8 Jun 2022 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…
8 Jun 2022 43 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…
4 May 2022 50 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…
14 Mar 2022 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…
10 Dec 2021 29 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…
25 Nov 2021 32 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…
13 Sep 2021 38 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…
18 Aug 2021 40 min
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