The Brenthurst Foundation Podcast

In Marie-Noelle’s finale on the podcast, she explores the critical topic of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the importance of gaining the trust of African youth to ensure its success. She is joined by Rutendo Nyaku, the insightful author behind "AfCFTA’s proof is in the pudding: Earning youth trust is the way to leverage the bulging population." In this episode, they...

Join Marie-Noelle for a compelling conversation with Dr Col. Kizza-Besigye about his life of service, leading the opposition in Uganda, and his hopes for the future of Ugandans and Africans. As a prominent figure in African politics, Kizza-Besigye shares his perspectives on governance, activism, and the fight for popular sovereignty. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the complexities o...

Join Marie-Noelle for a compelling conversation with Dr Col. Kizza-Besigye about his life of service, leading the opposition in Uganda, and his hopes for the future of Ugandans and Africans. As a prominent figure in African politics, Kizza-Besigye shares his perspectives on governance, activism, and the fight for popular sovereignty. Don't miss this opportunity to delve into the complexities o...

Featuring Tendai Biti, join Marie-Noelle for an insightful discussion on democracy, a life of service, and the challenges of being in opposition. As a prominent African leader, Mr Biti shares his experiences navigating political landscapes and offers valuable lessons for the next generation of African leaders. Tune in to gain invaluable insights into governance, activism, and the pursuit of a bett...

Join us for an enlightening episode as we delve into the world of co-production in policymaking with Noreen Blanluet, co-founder of the Co-production Network for Wales. In this conversation, Noreen sheds light on the importance of putting citizens at the heart of policymaking processes, how we ought to do that and the challenges around co-production.

Dive into a transformative dialogue with Roelf Meyer, a key architect of the South African peace process in 1994, as we uncover invaluable insights on leadership, compromise, and fostering dialogue and how these apply in today's tumultuous world. Roelf shares firsthand experiences and timeless lessons that resonate far beyond borders. Tune in to this illuminating conversation with Marie-Noelle...

Speaking with Marie-Noelle Nwokolo, the former President of Botswana, Ian Khama, gives his full insight into life as the leader of the African nation. From his first day as President, to how the role changed him and memories from his term, President Khama leaves no stone unturned in this conversation.

Discover the heartbeat of South Africa's agriculture landscape with renowned agricultural economist, Wandile Sihlobo. In this insightful episode, we delve into the challenges between policy and implementation and what it will take to stimulate growth and employment in agriculture. The best part is that he also shares lessons that are applicable to other African countries. Tune in now!

The informal sector across Africa makes up nearly 83% of employment. However, in spite of its size, there is a general lack of engagement with the sector, from both government and private corporates.     Today we speak to Prince Nwadeyi, co-founder of Setana Capital, to understand why this lack of engagement exists and what Setana is doing to resolve the challenge of financing and working capital...

Honda, Toyota, Toshiba and Sony, to name but a few, are all successful companies to come out of Japan. How did Japan perfect enterprise and create a booming private sector? Was educational prowess the key? Listen to Part 2 of our chat with Prof Kenichi Ohno to find out.

At the end of the Second World War, Japanese cities were destroyed, a significant number of its population were killed or displaced, and its industrial capacity gutted. Yet,  like a phoenix, 1945 also saw the start ( second time around) of Japan’s rise to economic freedom. How did Japan make this dramatic economic change and what did it take? In this conversation, Marie-Noelle sits with Prof Kenic...

Speaking to Marie-Noelle,  H.E. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the 2011 winner of the Nobel Peace Prize and former President of Liberia (2006 – 2018), reflects on the moment she was announced President, the task to rebuild Liberia, her drive to advance women in public leadership in Africa, and her most-prized lessons on leadership.  Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @Brenthurst...

Our latest podcast with Olusegun Obasanjo is a deep dive into his time as the former President of Nigeria, highlighting how he supported the country’s transition to democracy.  This episode was recorded during a recent conversation with Dr Greg Mills of The Brenthurst Foundation and Amanda Dory of the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook...

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be Prime Minister? Well, our latest miniseries ‘Africa Through Their Eyes’ enables you to do just that through important discussions with former heads of state from across Africa. This week, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo sits down with H.E Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, to reflect on his time in office, the choices he made and what he wish...

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be Prime Minister?    Well, our latest miniseries ‘Africa Through Their Eyes’ enables you to do just that through important discussions with former heads of state from across Africa. This week, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo sits down with H.E Hailemariam Dessalegn, former Prime Minister of Ethiopia, to reflect on his time in office, the choices he made and what he w...

What role does the AfCFTA play in agricultural development? What links growth, stability and equity to agriculture? Why don’t reforms always work?    Tune in to part two of Marie-Noelle’s conversation with Isabelle Tsakok to find out more!   Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

Africa’s arable land has increase by 52% in 20 years, so why do a large portion of the continent’s population still live in poverty?    This week, Marie-Noelle and Isabelle Tsakok of the Policy Center for the New South dissect the importance of agricultural transformation to help development, uncovering the possible impacts of climate change and government involvement, or lack thereof, in the proc...

This week we continue the conversation with H.E. Ernest Bai Koroma as he gives us an insight into the many surprises he experienced during his time as Sierra Leone's President, trends relating to coups across the region and his hopes for Africa by 2050. If you’ll do anything today, it’s to listen to this chat brought to you in conversation with Marie-Noelle. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @Br...

From economics and ebola to coups and the challenges of leadership, this episode features Marie-Noelle in conversation with former President of Sierra Leone, H.E Ernest Bai Koroma.  It’s THE in-depth look at President Koroma’s impact on the history of Sierra Leone and his insights on what it takes to make the right choices and run a country. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF&nb...

The demand for democracy is higher than the supply, according to recent Afrobarometer surveys; what does this means and might it have anything to do with the recent spate of coups in West Africa and the preference for outsiders? In Marie-Noelle’s chat with Joe Asunka of Afrobarometer, the two discuss African attitudes towards military rule, the 91% approval of Assimi Goita, the military leader who...

Many state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in South Africa are in trouble; some have been for a decade or more. What is happening, why are they still in use, and how can we rethink these delicate development tools? Learn more in this chat with Alan Hirsch.  Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

With 68% of the Tanzanian population born after 1999, the role of the country’s youth is vital. However, does Tanzania’s past play an important role in their future? This week, Marie-Noelle speaks to Zitto Kabwe, the leader of the Alliance for Change and Transparency in Tanzania, to understand his ideas on the role which Tanzania’s history plays in the country’s future. Join the conversation on: T...

Over the last 20 years, just 180,000 manufacturing jobs were created in South Africa. Going forward, what can be done to ensure higher employment rates within the country? This week, Marie-Noelle speaks to Haroon Bhorat on the ‘Better Choices’ that need to be made. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

In 1998, South Africa’s energy supply was in the pink. A low-cost, coal-fired fleet was producing surplus energy at one of the lowest prices in the world. Yet, by 2021, South Africa was in the grip of regular ‘load shedding’. So, how was a functional and effective provider of electricity turned into a failing corporation threatening the take the economy down with it? Listen to Marie-Noelle’s enqui...

In today’s episode, Marie-Noelle and Gareth Newham tackle the reason for the decline of South Africa’s crime and justice system. South Africa has persistently failed to adequately build the rule of law since the birth of democracy in 1994, and it shows.  Gareth brings us into his world and shares those better choices that will improve policing and reverse the decline in public safety that sta...