Podcasts
Land reform and economic development in Africa
Land reform in Africa remains one of the most explosive debates of our time—who owns the land, who works it, and who truly benefits?
In this episode, I sit down with Comrade Ian Beddowes of the Zimbabwe Communist Party to dissect the continent’s turbulent history of land redistribution.
We’ll compare different African models, but focus sharply on Zimbabwe’s radical reform program—a policy that toppled white settler dominance, crashed the economy, and still sparks fury and admiration today.
Was it economic suicide or long-overdue justice? And what lessons does it hold for South Africa, Kenya, and beyond?
Outro music is “Buka Tiende” by Thomas Mapfumo.
Elections and democracy in Africa, a critique
This episode was recorded with Cde Takudzwa Chiwanza in September 2023 soon after the harmonised elections in Zimbabwe, however, I couldnt publish it owing to circumstances beyond my control. Notwithstanding this, the issues we covered are still relevant today.
Outro music is “Ndega ndega” by Mbuya Madhuve.
Episode image: A ZEC election officer inspects a voter’s name in the voters’ roll during the Zimbabwean harmonised elections at Emakhandeni Secondary School in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, August 23, 2023. REUTERS/KB Mpofu.
Socialism and economic management in Africa
In this episode I speak with Cde Ian Beddowes of the Zimbabwe Communist Party (ZCP) on socialism and economic management in Africa.
Outro music is “Song of the United Front (English Version)” performed by Jamie O’Reilly & Michael Smith.
Episode image is a picture of Cde Ian Beddowes.
Why Zimbabwe needs a negotiated settlement, not another rigged election
This week the Sunday Times politics Weekly shone the spotlight on the prospects of the Zimbabwe elections.
Panellists on the podcast are prominent Zimbabwean scholar professor Ibbo Mandaza and Ngqabutho Nicholas Mabhena representing Zimbabwe Community in South Africa organisation. The two assess what the elections mean and the role of the Southern Africa region in turning the country around. Next month, on August 23, Zimbabweans head to the polls to choose from a dozen candidates vying to be the county’s next president. The main contest is between Zanu-PF leader Emmerson Mnangagwa, who seeks a second term and Nelson Chamisa, of the new Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC).
The guests were pessimistic about what the elections hold. As the Brics summit approaches next month in South Africa, Mabhena thinks Zimbabwe must benefit from Brics programmes. Mandaza says “there can be no solution to the Zimbabwean crisis without South Africa” but SA leaders should be informed about Zimbabwe.
The host is Sunday Times deputy editor Mike Siluma and the producer is Bulelani Nonyukela.
Episode first published here: Sunday Times Politics Weekly .
Communism in Africa with Cde Booker Ngesa Omole
In this episode I speak with the National Vice Chairperson of The Communist Party of Kenya.
Outro music is “Viva Africa” by the Communist Party of Kenya.
Episode image is a Hammer and Sickle. Photo credit Wikimedia Commons.
Southern African gold mining in historical perspective
In this episode I talk with historian Duncan Money on the controversial Al Jazeera’s “Gold Mafia” documentary.
Outro music is Working Man by the Dubliners.
Episode image is a ball mill & stamp mill, gold ore processing centre, Shamva, Zimbabwe. Photo credit Wikimedia Commons.
Southern Africa now, an interview with Pan-African activist Phethani Madzivhandila
In this episode recorded on Easter Sunday, I speak to Phetani, a South African political activist.
Outro music is “Stimela” by Hugh Masekela.
Episode image is a photograph of Doornfontein train station at rush hour, showing the effects of apartheid in South Africa. Photo credit Wikimedia Commons.
Aspirations and dreams, an interview with a prospective care worker
In this episode, I speak with Charity, a lady aspiring to migrate to the UK.
Outro music is “Izere mhepo” by Oliver Mtukudzi.
Episode image is a picture of care workers on strike. Photo credit Geoff Dexter on flickr.
Give me back Namibia, an interview with activist Dimbulukeni Shipandeni Hafenih
In this episode, I interview Dimbulukeni Shipandeni Hafenih, a Namibian social justice activist.
Outro music is “Give Me Back Namibia” by Jackson Kaujeua.
Episode image is a picture from Dimbulukeni’s Twitter account.
Journey to the UK's social care sector, from police clearances to DBS checks
In this episode, I interview Comrade Romeo, a Zimbabwe social care worker in the UK.
Outro music is “Ijipita” by Winky D.
Episode image is the Stourbridge Health and Social Care Centre from Wikimedia Commons
Pushing back against Al Jazeera's Gold Mafia documentary
In this episode, I critically discuss with Takudzwa Chiwanza the much talked about Al Jazeera documentary on gold mafias in Zimbabwe.
Outro music is “The Internationale - Russian Version”.
Episode image is from Wikimedia Commons
An interview with Zimbabwean female trade unionist Dorcas Norupiri
In this episode, I interview Zimbabwe Diamond Allied Minerals Workers Union (ZDAMWU) leader Comrade Dorcas Norupiri.
Dorcas narrates some of the challenges being faced by women in the mining sector including gender discrimination!
Outro music is “The Internationale” by Billy Bragg.
Episode image is Comrade Dorcas Norupiri.
An interview with a former ZIPRA freedom fighter
In this episode, I interview former freedom fighter Comrade Fabian Nkomo on his liberation struggle experiences, what motivated him, as well as the Gukurahundi disturbances.
Intro music is “Tatadzeiko” by Mbira DzeNharira.
Article image is a band of Zipra guerillas. Image credit Chronicle.
The political economy of Zimbabwe's liberation struggle
Zimbabwe fought a bitter struggle to gain independence from settler colonialism. In this episode, I discuss the political economy of the liberation struggle with academic and farmer Cde Benny Moyo.
Intro music is “Toputika Neshungu” by Mbira DzeNharira. Outro is “Love and scandals” by Solomon Skuza.
Article image is ‘a bush training base’ during the liberation struggle. Image credit The Herald.
Indigenisation and economic empowerment in Zimbabwe
In April 2008, Zimbabwe promulgated the Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Act No. 14 of 2007 (Chapter 14:33). The background to the law was the need to restructure and transform Zimbabwe’s economy.
In this episode, Cde Kasukuwere explains the origins and motivations of Zimbabwe’s indigenisation and economic empowerment programme.
Intro music is “Kumatendera” by Mbira DzeNharira. Outro is “Ndega ndega” by Mbuya Madhuve.
Article image is Former Empowerment Minister Savior Kasukuwere and the late Dave Brown of Implats. Image credit Nehanda Radio.
Imperialism in the Zimbabwean context
In this first episode, I interview uMkhonto we Sizwe military veteran Ian Beddowes
We explore the concept of imperialism as well as its importance. Intro background music is “Saramugomo” by Mbira Dzenharira. Outro music is “Ballard of Accounting” by Ewan MacColl and Peggy Seeger. Episode Artwork is The Rhodes Colossus from Wikimedia Commons.
Series introduction
In this introductory episode, I describe the series and its aims.
Background music is “Hapo Zamani” by Miriam Makeba. Episode artwork and podcast logo is the conical tower inside the Great Enclosure at Great Zimbabwe from Wikimedia Commons
