Radio Workshop

To continue our month of episodes from the Radio Workshop archives, we're revisiting a story from last year. Oliver grew up in Kabwe, Zambia. Nearly a century of lead mining has poisoned Kabwe's land, air, and water, making it one of the world's most toxic towns. Now Oliver is watching a new mining boom sweep across his country, this time for minerals that power clean energy. He faces an impossible choice: fight the industry, or join it to change it from within? Now 19 and a student at Copper...

As we head into the holiday season, we’re re-releasing some of our favorite episodes you might have missed—this one is from 2023. The story takes us to Lagos, where we meet audio producer Mo Isu. Mo suffers from severe anxiety—so severe that he knows it's time to get professional help. But will his stern, old-school father approve? Mo decides to face his fears and have a tough conversation. Since this episode was released, Mo has received an official diagnosis for generalised anxiety di...

Last Friday, South African women shut down the country a day before the G20 Summit - an initiative led by Women for Change. Across the country, thousands gathered at midday to bring the country to a standstill and honour those who have lost their lives to gender-based violence and femicide. With 16 Days of Activism approaching, it’s crucial that we keep this momentum going. Today, we’re re-releasing an episode born from 16 Days of Activism in Ethiopia, where — like South Africa — women ...

For the past year, Siphesihle Magagula has been going door-to-door selling solar power. He convinced nearly all of his neighbours to buy a basic solar kit, bringing lights to about 400 homes for the first time. His neighborhood, Nomzamo, never had electricity before — despite being close to South Africa's biggest coal mines and power stations. But some of his clients are disappointed. Their solar kits don’t have enough power to run fridges or TVs. Nomzamo is just one example of South Af...

33-year-old Goodnews is a food delivery rider by day and an aspiring writer by night. He works 12 hours a day weaving through Lagos traffic to deliver as many orders as he can to customers. Although he is an engineering graduate, Goodnews is part of the 85% of working Nigerians unable to find formal employment. By joining the country’s growing gig economy, Goodnews now earns three times more than he has at any other job, but he says the work isn’t all roses… ________ Supp...

When 26-year-old Shacky called his friend at midnight from a Johannesburg park, he was ready to end it all. For years, both young men had carried their struggles in silence—unemployment, family pressure, and the weight of being told to “man up” no matter what. But that night changed their friendship forever. In this deeply personal story, 23-year-old reporter Kabir Jugram explores what happens when South Africa’s sky-high youth unemployment meets the toxic expectation that men must suffer alo...

Forget the Africa you think you know. This is Radio Workshop. Support the show We can only do this work because of your support. You can make a donation at radioworkshop.org.

At just 21, Linda Mudzenda carried the hopes of Zimbabwe—and much of Africa—onto the Britain's Got Talent stage. Her show-stopping vocal performance earned her the Golden Buzzer, but it also represented something bigger: African talent claiming its place on the global stage. We sat down with Linda to hear her story and what this breakthrough means for her future. Show Notes: Sign up for Radio Workshop’s newsletter on Substack, and connect with us on Instagram and LinkedIn. Support the work of...

The clock is ticking for 17-year-old Nonhlanhla Mashabana. For months, she’s buried herself in her textbooks. Now, instead of enjoying her matric dance like any teenager should, she can't shake her anxiety about the make-or-break final exams. They're just weeks away. In South Africa, the odds are against her: just 12 out of every 100 students who start Grade 1 will ever reach university. As Nonhlanhla prepares for her greatest challenge yet, the question is: Can she overcome a broken educatio...

In honor of Youth Day and the enduring resilience of South African students since the 1976 student protests, we're re-releasing Finding The Right Words. Meet Nonhlanhla Mashabana, a spelling bee champion and high-achieving high school student who has the odds stacked against her. Growing up poor in post-Apartheid South Africa, she carries the weight of her family's hopes for a better life. As she walks down a road that has caused so many to stumble, how will Nonhlanhla navigate a broken educ...

Ruby is a 30-year-old mother of three, and she’s ready to do whatever it takes to give her kids a better life. Even if it means leaving her family in Zimbabwe to become a live-in care worker in the UK. Now, halfway across the world from everyone she loves, Ruby works around the clock to make enough money to bring her family together again. But can Ruby sustain the punishing routine long enough to pull it off? Acknowledgements: Veryus Studio in Harare, Hindenburg, The Ann Levy Trust, The Sh...

Bana Mwesige was 12 years old when he joined the church choir. Singing was his sanctuary. But now, at age 28, Bana can’t bring himself to sing gospel anymore. It’s not his faith in God that has wavered, it’s his faith in the church. When his pastor tried to "cure" him from what needed no curing, Bana felt something inside of him break. Sources: Human Rights Council - The Lies and Dangers of Efforts to Change Sexual Orientation or Gender Identity Human Rights Watch - Dignity Debased: ...

Dating is complicated. Not to mention dating on the apps! And for LGBTQI+ folks on the African continent, where many countries criminalise queerness, it’s even MORE complicated. We asked reporters in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Kenya and Namibia to share how they navigate the highs and lows of seeking romance, community and friendship online. Despite all the pitfalls, love calls out to all of us. Sources: Amnesty International - Africa: Barrage of discriminatory laws stoking hate against LGBTI perso...

Oliver grew up in Kabwe, one of the most toxic towns in the world. His mom wouldn't even let him play outside because the land, wind, and air are so heavily polluted from nearly a century of lead mining. Now 18, Oliver sees a new wave of mining sweeping across Zambia. This time, mining companies want to extract minerals for the clean energy boom. Oliver faces a choice: fight the industry as an activist, or join it to change it from within? Support the show We can only do this work because of...

Damola is waiting for an email that will change her life… A Canadian visa. Six months ago, she decided to emigrate. Despite a fulfilling career as a dentist, Damola wants out. And she’s ready to leave behind everything and everyone she knows including her recently widowed mother. According to a recent survey, 70% of Nigerians aged 15 to 35 want to leave the country. How did Nigeria get here? Support the show We can only do this work because of your support. You can make a donation at radiowor...

[Trigger Warning: Mentions of sexual harassment, rape and child abuse] Lella Miskir is tired of the constant harassment she and other women in Ethiopia experience on the daily. In response, Lella now walks through the streets of Addis Ababa, armed – with a small, red whistle. Her online campaign, #MyWhistleMyVoice, encourages women to blow their whistle every time a man catcalls them, acts inappropriately towards them or assaults them. It’s giving women confidence and hope, but blowing the w...

South African spelling bee champion, Nonhlanhla Mashabana, faces her greatest challenge to date: her final year of high school and the precarious and uncertain transition to higher education. There's a lot standing in her way: growing up poor in post-Apartheid South Africa, the weight of carrying the family's hopes of a better life, and the fear of being the first to leave home. As she walks down a road that has caused so many to stumble, how will Nonhlanhla navigate a broken education system...

On June 18th, thousands of young Kenyans swiftly mobilized against a proposed tax increase that would significantly raise daily living costs, particularly affecting the most vulnerable. Thousands of peaceful protestors in the streets of Nairobi were soon met with a violent response from police. Reports indicate 39 people were killed, with countless others wounded and unlawfully arrested. The dust is now settling. Friends lost in the fray are being found. Grieving for the dead is just beginnin...

Many young South Africans weren't sure who to vote for ahead of South Africa's elections in late May. But, many of them told us they wanted new leadership. The results of the election reveal that uncertainty as no one party won a clear majority. In fact, the African National Congress will have to create a coalition government for the first time in their 30 years holding office. A development leading to more anxiety and uncertainty since no one knows what to expect. In case you missed it, we'r...

Rihanna was just 19 years old when she was arrested for being trans in Uganda. It was 2014. She spent 9 months in prison - an ordeal that tore a rift between her and her God-fearing mother. In this episode, we hear how her arrest radically changed the course of their lives - and how Rihanna’s mom unexpectedly became a staunch ally. This is the second in our two-part series on LGBTQ rights in Uganda, as the Anti-Homosexuality Act of 2023 turns a year old. Support the show We can only do this ...