The Brenthurst Foundation Podcast

In our episode this week, Marie-Noelle speaks with Andrew Murray, one of the authors of The Brenthurst Foundation’s latest book titled ‘Better Choices: Ensuring South Africa’s Future’.  Here, they discuss all things related to service delivery within South Africa, particularly health and education services, exploring actions and ideas which actually make a difference. Join the conversation on...

Since the Russian invasion began on the 24th February 2022, amongst many other atrocities, Ukraine and its people have been the victims of countless war crimes. Human rights activists such as Oleksandra Matviichuk have been bravely documenting these atrocities and working to defend the human rights of individuals who have been victims of these crimes.  Listen this week as Marie-Noel...

In our episode this week, Marie-Noelle speaks with Andrew Donaldson, Senior Research Associate at the Southern Africa Labour and Development Research Unit at the University of Cape Town as well as one of the authors of The Brenthurst Foundation’s latest book titled ‘Better Choices: Ensuring South Africa’s Future’. Here, they discuss current social insurance institutions which exist within South Af...

Parliament is the cornerstone of any functioning democracy. A centre of legislation and debate, its role is clearly defined during times of peace. But what happens when you’re at war? This week, Marie-Noelle shares two powerful interviews from her recent visit to Ukraine. Hryhoriy Nemyria, First Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Parliament of Ukraine, talks about the changing...

Marie-Noelle 's guest this week is Wandile Sihlobo , academic, Chief Economist of the Agricultural Business Chamber of South Africa (Agbiz) and author of Finding Common Ground: Land, Equity, and Agriculture. Agriculture has long been a sector seen as a developmental cornerstone, creating jobs and driving economic growth. But how successful has it been? Sihlobo, who along with co-author Gracelin Ba...

Today's episode is a masterclass on strategic communication in warfare with Ukraine's Deputy Chairman for the Centre for Defence Studies and ex-Deputy Minister of Defence, Alina Frolova. Join Marie-Noelle Nwokolo for a one-in-a-lifetime chat. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

Join Marie-Noelle in a chat with Investec’s Chief Economist, Annabel Bishop , on the dual role of the financial sector in the economy and opportunities to unlock its potential. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

In this episode, Marie-Noelle chats with David Francis about South Africa’s ‘challenge’ with the informal economy and the better choices needed to address the economy. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

On the show this week, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo and pro-democracy activist Jeffrey Smith interrogate the role and relevance of election observer missions in light of Kenya’s recent election. Listen in on a candid conversation complementing processes in the quest to build substantive democracies. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthur...

In this week’s episode, Marie-Noelle chats with Prince Nwadeyi, co-founder of iSpani , on what it means to have and exert agency and the work required for Africa’s youth in taking the reins of leadership. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

Voter apathy is a growing problem among South Africa’s youth. While the reasons behind this are often emotive, they are understandable. To better grasp how and where people have agency, Marie-Noelle spoke to Siviwe Gwarube, the Deputy Chief Whip and National Spokesperson for the Democratic Alliance, to learn about her political journey and how parliament can become more relevant to the average vot...

How does a small state that, according to the UN, doesn't officially exist, with a nonconvertible currency, no officially recognised borders or passports, and is found in one of the most volatile regions of Africa, become a peaceful, free, democratic society, without the help of foreign intervention or aid? Listen to how, in spite of a lack of international recognition, Somaliland has become one o...

The impact of COVID-19 in South Africa, by existing data, has been the most severe on the African continent. South Africa, which accounted for 38.1% of total COVID-19 infections in Africa as of March 2022, is home to approximately 2.9 to 4.2 million migrants, the highest in intra-Africa migration. However, most of the interventions instituted by government to mitigate the socio-economic impact of...

In this chat, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo and Ovigwe Eguegu of Development Reimagined chat about the deepening China-Africa relations as it pertains to trade and infrastructure, how to think about points of collaboration with China , and what Africa’s leaders ought to do to create a more mutually-beneficial relationship.  Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFound...

In today’s episode chat with Henry Telli and James Dzansi of the International Growth Centre (IGC) about how IT systems can be potentially transformative tools to increase local tax capacities. The speakers also generously engage on the topic of “Is decentralisation good for development? Listen in to find out the fascinating takes from James and Henry. Read their paper on “The promise and pitfall...

In today’s episode, Marie-Noelle speaks with Ambassador Dr Kipyego Cheluget about his diplomatic career and the lessons that a regional economic community, COMESA, can teach us as we roll out the AfCFTA. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

In this episode, Marie-Noelle Nwokolo chats with Ikenna Nzewi, co-founder and CEO of Releaf,  an agriculture technology company that develops hardware and software solutions to drive the industrialisation of food processing in Africa, starting with oil palm in Nigeria. Key to their operations is to innovate ways to reduce costs, increase value, and improve farmer revenues by ensuring and broa...

Is China’s presence in Africa a positive one? What more can Africa do to increase the benefits received from a China-Africa relationship? Has Africa’s relationship with China changed over time? This podcast answers all these questions, and many more, giving us a different viewpoint on the relationship which the Asian super-power has with the African Continent. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @...

How much economic damage was caused, and how will African economies recover? This is the question addressed in today’s episode from the launch of the 'Prospects for a Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery in Africa' report.  For the full report visit: https://bit.ly/3pPbbP0  For the full recording, including comments by Joseph Stiglitz, Njuguna Ndung’u and Sheila Jasanoff visit: https://b...

On 26 January 2022, President Hakainde Hichilema addressed a broad audience of policymakers, past presidents, ambassadors and curious minds at the launch of the Brenthurst Foundation’s latest book, Expensive Poverty . The book explores the trillion-dollar question of why aid has been so poorly used in Africa. President Hichilema shares his journey and experience and the imperative to get Africa on...

In this week’s episode, Marie-Noelle sits with Mona Iddrisu, Head of Youth #Employment and Skills at ACET. They discuss the demand and supply-side challenges of skilling and employing youth in Ghana and across the continent, and the kinds of policy changes required to address the challenge in the face of a burgeoning youth population.  Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebo...

On the first episode of the year, Marie-Noelle speaks with Erik Wandrag, CEO of Oceans Finance Company, who’s main take is to develop financial solutions from resources like the ocean! It’s deep blue thinking from the deep blue ocean. 

Understanding why poor countries have remained poor despite the trillions of dollars spent on development over the past several decades requires asking different questions. Hear more in MN’s chat with Efosa Ojomo of Christensen Institute. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation

In today’s episode, Marie-Noelle sits with Tim Harris to discuss BPO, tech, service sectors and the opportunities for job creation. The gains however will not be automatic, they require market reforms and a scaling-up of resources to supply the skills these sectors are demanding. Join the conversation on: Twitter - @BrenthurstF / Facebook - @BrenthurstFoundation / Instagram - @brenthurstfoundation