Cafe Curiosity

In this powerful final episode of Short Story Corner, Lorraine reads Stolen Memories by Zambian storyteller and filmmaker Mwanabibi Sikamo - a magical tale of survival, reinvention and power. The story follows a blind woman cast out by her family, who discovers an uncanny ability to steal memories and use them to reclaim power in a world that once discarded her. The conversation with Mwanabibi aft...

In this special penultimate episode of Short Story Corner, we return to the very beginning — the very first story we ever shared: “Passing the Bone” by the brilliant Henry Sakala. This episode is a joyful, emotional, and reflective journey that traces how a once “silly little idea” blossomed into a podcast full of wisdom, curiosity and deep connection. We explore the layered themes of legacy, loya...

Are you ready for the thrilling conclusion of Modi’s Bride? Last time we left Modi facing a life-changing revelation. Today, discover how love, acceptance and grace triumph even in the most challenging situations. And don’t miss my inspiring conversation with Dr. Sindiwe Magona! See you at Short Story Corner!

This week on Short Story Corner, we’re diving into an epic love story called Modi’s Bride by the amazing Dr. Sindiwe Magona. Set in the gorgeous Eastern Cape of the early 1900s, this story will captivate your heart, exploring love, courage, and the complexities of tradition. Plus, I’ll chat with Dr. Magona herself! Come join us—you're gonna love it! Note this is part 1 of the story.

A glance across a church aisle. A forbidden touch. A love that dares to exist in the shadows… In this tender, defiant story by Tanzanian writer Immaculate Halla, two girls navigate desire, repression and the aching need to be seen. On this week’s Short Story Corner, we explore love in all its shapes and the courage it takes to choose yourself. Includes adult and sexual themes. If you need support,...

In this gripping Human Rights Day special, we bring you “The Horror in the Bush” by Mandisi Nkomo, a haunting speculative tale of resistance, survival and the cost of freedom. Set in a dystopian version of Southern Africa, the story follows a lone freedom fighter navigating a surreal and brutal landscape. With only his rifle, his resolve and the quiet strength of his sister, he refuses to surrende...

The platform is packed. The train is full. The past is calling. In this week's story, What Pushes Against the Moment, Cingashe is a Messenger, tasked with embedding ideas into history. But when her last mission failed, leaving a dangerous rhetoric to flourish, she’s unexpectedly given a second chance - an anomaly in The Agency’s strict rules. It should be simple: persuade Lisbet Manamela to abando...

Happy International Women's Day! In this special episode of Short Story Corner, we revisit Hairology by the incredible Sue Nyathi. As we celebrate International Women’s Day, this story invites us to embrace what makes us unique while also honoring the deep connections that bind us together as women. Hairology takes us through the intimate and sometimes complex relationship women have with their ha...

In this episode, we bring you More Fire Than Earth, a hauntingly beautiful tale of passion, identity, and the supernatural. This story is steeped in mythology, faith, and the tension between fate and free will. A man born of both human and jinn blood tries to suppress the fire in his veins, hoping love will be enough to ground him. But when the truth of his nature is revealed, can love survive the...

This week we are in Zimbabwe reading author Valarie Chatindo’s One Way Ticket. Through the eyes of Anesu, we explore the complexities of teenage life, from navigating therapy sessions to coping with the legacy of a missing uncle. This is one you won't want to miss, offering insight, humour, and a unique perspective on life, and the pursuit of happiness.

Short Story Corner returns with this Valentine’s Day special, where we dive into a story of love, identity and self-discovery with Anele Matshisi, the author of Neo & Luyanda. This upcoming novel explores what it means to love - not just in relationships, but also in embracing one’s true self. Neo, a driven corporate powerhouse from Johannesburg, and Luyanda, a purpose-driven marine biologist...

Up for an adventure in a parallel realm? Join us for ‘The Elephant in the Room’ by Ekari Mvundula Chirombo. From chaos to comedy, you will be taken on a journey through unexpected twists and turns, ultimately revealing the power of laughter to unite even the most disparate of guests. Read more of her work at https://ekariwrites.com/blog/f/short-story-the-elephant-in-the-room

We often think that life will be fully lived when we achieve or get to a certain place. Imagine if you got the most dreaded news and had little time left on this planet. What would you do? Listen to Lucy Mwelu’s ‘Diary of a Dying Man’ in this episode – excellent food for thought.

Have you ever thought about what you would say to someone you love if you knew they were going to die? How would you express the true depths of how you feel about them? In this episode a heart wrenching story of loss up on loss of loved ones where our protagonist finally gets to say it all and find some relief and maybe a bit of peace. Join me for the Seeds of Pomegranates written by Abimbola Alab...

Our Showing Up sub-series continues with a conversation about grappling with uncertainty in the workplace. How each of us can mobilize energy through uplifting and value adding interactions. My guest is Wilfried Rupieper, an organisational development specialist with interesting insights on how we can reduce the costs of mistrust through authentic and truthful interactions.

Relationships face challenging times. In this episode, The Gravediggers of Mashin, a couple is trying to get back on track after a fall from from grace leads to an unorthodox job in a superstitious community with many prying eyes. Will they make it through? Nyasili Atetwe is a Kenyan-born story teller. His mediums of expression include fiction, photography and film. He currently lives in Nairobi,...

Join me for an energetic sisterly conversation with Jen Jumbe about all thing’s life. From facing adversity in childhood, to struggling to make ends meet as an adult, and of course relationships and heartbreak. Listen in to find out about the mantra that keeps Jen grounded and in a positive mind space. Jen is a daughter, sister, aunt and friend with a big heart and many interests. In her 9 to 5 sh...

We are back with a touch of the supernatural. Growing up mermaids were meant to be feared, they were treacherous beings out to get you at any cost - careful not to get taken by a mermaid if you were down by the river. In Finding Mermaids, Chido Muchemwa tells a story of loss and grief mingled with a quest to find the truth about strange disappearances of girls in a remote village. Is this strange...

As we head into a mid-season break, join me as I share 2 poems that have inspired and kept me going when the chips were down and adulting is a lot! Rudyard Kipling's stoic 'If' is a reminder to live by simple values of service and humility. While 'The Guest House' by Rumi reminds us that being open and allowing ourselves to feel through everything we experience leads to unexpected lessons and joy!

Life happens - Flow with it! His story started with an idyllic childhood on the Copperbelt in Zambia where he quickly found his voice on the stage, acting and writing plays as part of a theatre group at the age of 10. Henry Joe Sakala is the author of Passing the Bone, featured previously on Cafe Curiosity. In this episode we go beyond the story to explore his world. Join me as Henry Joe Sakala sh...

Join me as I celebrate the coming of age of Cafe Curiosity! In this episode I take a look back to where we started, funny how what seemed impossible has come to life. The featured story is Passing the Bone by Henry J Sakala, an awesome adventure led by the ever precocious Bobo and dear beloved old Ninja who has seen it all!

Sandra Czich has an electric energy and zest for life that is palpable across oceans. She is a testament to determination, curiosity and living a life led by love. Sandra shares her story from deep challenges as a child that led her to success and security in her first career to finding her way back to her first love, art, in a second career. Sandra is the Co-founder of - CZI the Art of Skin.

Our journey, love is all that matters, continues as we listen to a story about infatuation. Or is it about love? In A Sunny Afternoon a woman is completely consumed by the memory of a moment's interaction with the perfect man who she believes is her soul mate. She soon finds herself lost in her obsession - to what end though? A Sunny Afternoon is written by Veronique Tadjo; visit her website veron...

In this episode, we're off to Dar es Salaam, Tanzania for a energy filled chat with Ngaira Mandara. He talks about art and taking the leap to becoming a full time artist who makes a living from his art. He shares a bit about his creative process and how through his art, the story of life today is immortalised. Find out more about his work at www.ngairam.com

In this episode we witness the despair of our protagonist wishing he had known what was happening to save the woman he loves. In Sandra's Letter, written by Malusi Mwongeli, a painful assault takes over the lives of a loving couple leading to a painful loss and an overwhelming sense of helplessness. If you or someone you know need help: • South Africa reach out to Lifeline's Couselling service on...