#Info
The Barbershop
An audioplay series
The Barbershop, written by Nigerian writer, Ikenna Okeh, and co-produced with Ijele Renaissance Theatre, is an immersive audio drama series set in a Nigerian barber shop where scissors snip, tongues wag, and every haircut comes with a side of drama. With a rich blend of humour, social commentary, and everyday banter, Barbershop captures the pulse of urban Nigerian life.
#Theater #Podcast #Audiodrama
Sankara's Ghost
The right to self-determination
If we are under the perception that Africa’s problems are so huge, complex, and diverse. Where to start? How to establish real change? How to improve people's lives and futures? Thomas Sankara, President of Burkina Faso from 1983 to 1987, continues to live on in the memory of his people.
#People #PanAfricanism
Will Our Children (Still) Be Able to Read?
To abolish illiteracy and maintain a dignified life
The world is adrift in the tides of hunger and desolation. It isn't easy to think about education, or anything else when your children cannot eat. And yet, the sharp attack on education during this past decade forces us to consider the future that young people will inherit. Looking to the national liberation experiments of an earlier era.
#Society #Afrocentric #Education
Radio Special | Ray Phiri Tribute
UbuntuFM Radio Africa commemorated Bra Ray Phiri on July 22, 2017 with a special tribute broadcast. Presented by King Vusi Mavuthela with special guest Mashadi Mathosa.
#Artists Ray Phiri
UbuntuFM Radio Africa @Spotify
Follow us, share our Spotify playlist
Follow us, share our Spotify playlist
#Music #AfroPop
South Africa Emerges as Moral Giant on Gaza
A shift against impunity for genocide
Pretoria is challenging the Israeli government’s claim to innocence, which for far too long has allowed it to act with impunity against the long-suffering Palestinians. South Africa’s quite stunning intervention is bringing legal proceedings against the state of Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague, Netherlands, under the auspice of The Genocide Convention.
#World #History Gaza Israel
Ray Phiri: The Highland Drifter
The purpose of music is to communicate
Commemorative article by King Vusi Mavuthela on Ray Phiri (1947-2017) who passed on July 12, 2017.
#Artists
Hugh Masekela 'Stimela'
Hope against a backdrop of social injustice
'Stimela' (Coal Train) is the track that Hugh Masekela will probably be best remembered for as it encompasses all of his work both lyrically and musically. Such is the significance of 'Stimela' as it addresses the theme of hope against a backdrop of social injustice, central to South African modern history, a history still marked by decades of 'apartheid'.
#Music #Jazz
UbuntuFM Radio Africa
Music from the continent and beyond!
Just be with UbuntuFM Africa and you are going to be with the trend of music both locally and internationally. Afrobeat, AfroPop, AfroJazz, Afro-Latino, Soul, R&B, Reggae, and EDM are all featured. We are one, and so is the music.
We are committed to bringing you the best in terms of audio quality and content. To us, it's not about the hits but about the music and message. Start your musical exploration here and let us tell you our story! We'd love to hear from you.
#Music #Radio
The Emperor’s speech
The speech credited as the inspiration for Bob Marley's hit song "War"
This story recounts the attempts of one mortal man and humanity at large to establish everlasting peace instead of waging perpetual war. A struggle of good over evil.
#People #History #Africa
The Human Family Tree
Where do you really come from?
DNA studies suggest that all humans today descend from a group of African ancestors who about 60,000 years ago began a remarkable journey.
#World #Video #Science #Genetics
Mallence
Epic
In her 2015 TED x Berlin Talk, Mallence Bart-Williams shared a truth that not only deeply resonated with people across the globe, but many felt compelled to share. So do we. Today Mallence's TED Talk has become an integral part of academic curricula of universities and high schools in Africa, Europe, Asia and the Americas as a timeless piece of essential truth.
#People #Video #Afrocentric
M.I Abaga | 'Ashes' (Aluu4)
Nothing would be worse than for death to mean nothing
The Aluu 4 was a necklace lynching that involved four young men, Ugonna Obuzor, Toku Lloyd, Chiadika Biringa, and Tekena Elkanah, all students of the University of Port Harcourt. They were all lynched after they were falsely accused of theft in Aluu, a community in Ikwerre local government area, Rivers State, Nigeria on 5 October 2012. M.I. Abaga wrote Ashes in response to this tragedy.
#Society #Video #HipHop #Aluu4
Samini | 'Obimbra'
Say No To Rape
Based on the Reggae Sax Riddim this track sends a strong message across the world to condemn the act of rape and violence against women. A collaboration between Reggae Vibes Music based in NY & Kingston JA, alongside the High-Grade Family from Ghana.
#Society #Video #Reggae SayNoToRape
Legend 'Om' Alec Khaoli
The man from Umoja
It's 40 years since the legendary 'Om' Alec Khaoli went solo and started his Afro rock band 'Umoja' in 1982. Time flies indeed. It has been a journey worth celebrating. Bra Om throughout his solo career has made a serious impact and contributed immensely in the music industry both locally in South Africa and abroad.
#Artists #Afrobeat #AfroRock
Yemi Alafifuni
Messenger
Yemi Alafifuni is a talented artist with a passion for gospel, pop and R&B. Hailing from Nigeria, this charismatic British singer and songwriter managed to combine stunning melodies with infectious grooves and great beats, in order to create a catchy, yet direct and edgy sound.
#Artists #AfroPop #Christian
SAVING MUNGO PARK
A humorous take on Mungo Park's arrival to Nigeria
Onyeka Nwelue and Ikenna Chinedu Okeh wrote the book, 'Saving Mungo Park' which is a humorous take on Mungo Park's arrival to the communities around the great river which he was to name River Niger.
#Writers #Culture #Books
Africa’s unique opportunity for post-pandemic rejuvenation
Dr. Mamphela Ramphele on “must-dos” for Africa
It has taken a tiny organism, SARS-CoV-2, to get even the most conservative traditionalists to accept that state institutions are essential to mobilizing national resources to protect and promote the common good. The fragilities of neoliberal economics have been laid bare.
#Society #Africa #PanAfricanism
'Woman to Woman' | Winnie Madikizela Mandela
Through the window
Thoughts on Winnie Mandela by Suthukazi Arosi Through the window we all looked and have decided without knowing the exact truth.
#Poetry
The Race To The Bottom
It's time for change, real change
The race to the bottom in terms of economics is one for attaining the lowest cost, whilst retaining or increasing the highest margin of profit. Who is profiting from this race and at whose expense? Is it sustainable? What forces drive the race?
#Society #Economy #Globalization
The Awesome People
Historical Truth
We, the people born between 1950-1980, we are the blessed ones. We are the awesome people. Our life is a living encyclopedia. We are also the last of a kind...
#People #History #Humanity
I Am A Woman
I AM A WOMAN, So what?
When I'm quiet, millions of things run through my mind. When I stare at you, I wonder why I love you so much, in spite of being taken for granted. I am like salt. My presence is never remembered, but my absence makes all things tasteless
#Society #WomensRights
Fact or fiction? When it matters and when not
On the deeper meaning of (mis)information
When the facts are too hard for us to bear, fiction may provide us with a comfortable alternative reality. And yet there are circumstances where both fact nor fiction matter. Because they are both beside the point.
#Society #History #Colonialism #FakeNews
‘Biafra’ All Over Again
History is about to repeat itself
Between 1966 and 1970, Biafra was all over the news media for those old enough to remember. What was called a war, was in fact a genocide comparable to the Rwandan genocide of the 90’s or worse. Let's fast forward from 1966 to Sept 12, 2017.
#Society #Biafra
The value and merits of 'junk'
Should we believe the hype or take issue with it?
Credit rating agency Standard and Poor's (S&P) has downgraded South Africa's rating to 'junk' status, as the country's currency continued to slide following a major cabinet reshuffle. Let's discuss the value and merits of being labeled 'junk'.
#Society #Economy
Joe Mafela
A legend has passed on
South Africa is mourning the passing of Bra Joe Mafela who was affectionately known as ‘Sdumo’. He was a popular comedian, musician, writer, producer and a television personality. He was loved by many people locally and abroad.
#Theater
The State vs. God
The age old legal debate on religious freedoms is still relevant today
When we think about or talk about ‘freedom of speech', people’s opinions are mostly pretty clear-cut. Yes, we should be able to speak freely about what is on our mind, regardless of the topic, as long as we don’t infringe upon another human being to that same basic human right. With regard to ‘religious freedom’ or the right to exercise religious beliefs, our conversations spark heated debate.
#Society #History #Religion
'Ubuntu' told by Pres. Nelson Mandela
One of the reasons UbuntuFM was established
A traveler through a country would stop at a village and he didn't have to ask for food or for water. Once he stops, the people give him food, entertain him. That is one aspect of Ubuntu, but it will have various aspects. Ubuntu does not mean that people should not enrich themselves. The question therefore is: Are you going to do so in order to enable the community around you to be able to improve? - Pres. Nelson Mandela
#Society #Video #Ubuntu
Bongo Man
Living Legend Jimmy Cliff
Living Legend Jimmy Cliff. This clip features a mix of the classic 'Bongo Man' track (Jimmy Cliff, Give Thankx, LP, 1978) with another Reggae classic, 'Rivers of Babylon', originating from The Melodians in 1970 and made popular by Boney M in a Disco cover.
#Artists #Reggae #Nyabinghi
Mandela | The Legacy
A shrewd politician, a visionary, or both?
As with most larger-than-life figures Pres. Nelson Mandela was controversial. We know of his achievements and follies. But what is his legacy? What will he be best remembered for?
#People #History
Biafra
50 years of Oil, Blood & Deprivation
The story of the Biafra genocide is one of the culturally incompatible and ideologically far-flung nations enclosed in a post-colonial contraption that started in the late ’60s and continues up to this day. One of the key underlying factors in the conflict may be attributed to the presence of oil. Biafra has one of the biggest if not the biggest oil reserves in Africa.
#Society #Biafra
Slavery, a Chronology
A chronology of slavery throughout modern history
No one shall be held in slavery or servitude; slavery and the slave trade shall be prohibited in all their forms. - UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR, 1948).
#Society #Slavery #History
Remembering Biko
A protest song against ‘apartheid'
Stephen Biko was an anti-apartheid activist in South Africa in the 1960s and 1970s. He died from injuries inflicted upon him by his captors at Pretoria prison on September 12, 1977. One year later, in 1978, English rock musician Peter Gabriel wrote the song ‘Biko’ in remembrance of the deceased and as a protest song against the ‘apartheid’ regime.
#Music
Migration, deportation & other African norms
Deportation of African nationals from Europe and America has come to be accepted as a norm; just as normal as you would hear folks discuss corruption in Nigeria, piracy in Somalia and fighting in the Congo.