Africa Rights Talk

Academic Perspectives on Environmental Information Access in Africa In recognition of the 2025 International Day for Universal Access to Information , the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria,  presents a thought-provoking podcast episode exploring the theme ‘Ensuring Access to Environmental Information in the Digital Age.’ The episode is hosted by Belinda Matore and fea...

In conversation with Bianca Knight   In honour of South Africa’s National Women’s Month, Africa Rights Talk presents “Breaking the Silence: Women, Rights, and Mental Health in Africa”, a powerful conversation exploring the overlooked but urgent intersection of gender justice and mental well-being. Across the continent, women face compounded challenges gender-based violence, poverty, systemic inequ...

In conversation with Guy Berger   This episode of Africa Rights Talk is guest-hosted by Ivy Gikonyo from the Centre for Human Rights, who steps in for the regular host to guide an insightful conversation with Professor Guy Berger, a veteran in media freedom and digital governance, unpacks how the Africa Alliance for Access to Data was born out of election-related risks in South Africa and the urge...

In conversation with Namatai Kwekweza In this compelling episode of Africa Rights Talk, we journey to Zimbabwe, a nation rich in culture but weighed down by political repression and shrinking civic space. Our guest, Namatai Kwekweza, a fearless pro-democracy activist and founder of WELEAD Trust, recounts her harrowing abduction and detention during the SADC summit, an ordeal rooted in her outspoke...

In conversation with Aaron Mupeti   In this episode of Africa Rights Talk, LLM in Human Rights & Democratisation in Africa (HRDA) students in the Disability Rights Unit Clinic , Joshua Nduku and Abdikarin Said engage with human rights lawyer and disability rights advocate Aaron Mupeti to unpack the challenges and possibilities for disability inclusion in South Africa. Mupeti, a wheelchair user...

In conversation with Judge Edwin Cameron, Rebecca Gore and Sohela Surajpal This episode of Africa Rights Talk delves into the often-invisible world of South Africa’s prison system through a compelling conversation with the authors of Behind Prison Walls: Unlocking a Safer South Africa , Judge Edwin Cameron, Rebecca Gore, and Sohela Surajpal. Drawing on their extensive experience at the Judicial In...

In conversation with Seán Coughlan and Dr. Joyce Wamoyi In this episode of Africa Rights Talk, we spotlight a transformative conversation on ending childhood sexual violence (CSV) with Seán Coughlan, Director of To Zero , and Dr. Joyce Wamoyi, Tanzanian Principal Investigator for the Parenting for Lifelong Health digital programs. Together, they unpack A Vision to Zero , a groundbreaking global ro...

In conversation with Takudzwa Mharadze   In this episode of Africa Right Talk, the conversation unfolds against the backdrop of the upcoming international conference themed “ Advancing Justice through Reparations: Reparations, Restoration, and Renaissance ,” that was held from 2–3 June 2025 in Pretoria, South Africa. This landmark event was co-organised by the University of Pretoria, the Universit...

In conversation with Phakamile Madonsela and Belinda Matore In this episode of Africa Rights Talk, Belinda Matore sits down with Phakamile Madonsela, from Media Monitoring Africa . The episode explores the pressing issue of online harms faced by children in South Africa and the continent more broadly. Drawing from her work at Media Monitoring Africa, Madonsela outlines the dual nature of the digit...

In conversation with Dr. Dennis Wamalwa In this episode of the Africa Rights Talk Podcast, Dr. Dennis Wamalwa joins the conversation during a NANHRI training held in Pretoria from April 10 to 11, 2025. The training focused on strengthening the capacity of African National Human Rights Institutions (NHRIs) in the protection and promotion of the rights of intersex persons. Dr. Wamalwa, a leading hum...

In conversation with Arudi Laurah In this episode, the African Rights Talk Podcast hosts Arudi Laurah, Programme Officer at the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), about her work in advancing the rights of SOGIE persons and human rights defenders across Africa. Arudi shares insights from the recent NHRI training held in Pretoria in April 2025, which focused on building...

In conversation with Thuli Mjwara In this episode of Africa Rights Talk, we pay tribute to the life and work of Imam Muhsin Hendricks, a pioneering queer Muslim leader who dedicated his life to fostering inclusivity within faith communities. Our guest, Thuli Mjwara, reflects on his profound impact, highlighting his commitment to radical love, interfaith dialogue, and creating safe spaces for margi...

In conversation with Isabella Tabares In this inspiring episode, Africa Rights Talk speaks with Isabella Tabares, founder of Footprints of Uganda , a nonprofit organisation dedicated to empowering rural Ugandan communities. Isabella shares her journey from volunteering at a young age to founding the organisation, which focuses on access to clean water, education, and sustainable community developm...

In conversation with Rosevitha Ndumbu, Jessica Uiras and Ompha Tshamano In anticipation of the upcoming Namibian elections set for 27th November 2024, this episode focuses on youth participation in Namibia's political and public participation including electoral processes. The speakers, Rosevitha Ndumbu and Jessica Uiras, hosted by Ompha Tshamano discussed the topic. They identified significant ba...

In conversation with Chitra Nagarajan In this episode, Africa Rights Talk podcast sits down with Chitra Nagarajan to delve into her compelling book, The World Was in Our Hands: Voices from the Boko Haram Conflict . Chitra discusses the personal and professional journey behind the book. She shares insights into her approach to compiling the anthology, focusing on the voices of diverse individuals p...

In conversation with Dr Richard Quinlan This podcast episode aimed to bring attention to the often neglected genocide that took place in Burundi, which is similar to the genocides in Rwanda and the Tigray region of Ethiopia. The genocide in Burundi, which mainly occurred in 1972 and 1993, was based on ethnic tensions between the Hutu and Tutsi communities, leading to widespread violence and large-...

In conversation with Tendai Mbanje In this episode, we delve into the pivotal 2024 South African elections, exploring significant shifts in political representation and the ANC’s historic loss of its majority.  Mr Mbanje explores the seismic changes witnessed during the 2024 elections, including shifts in party dynamics, emerging voices, and the impact on parliamentary composition. He notes ANC’s...

In conversation with Zanele Fengu, Mosupatsila Nare and Samrawit Getaneh The episode was hosted by Samrawit Getaneh (HRDA class of 2016, Ethiopia), who welcomed and engaged in a conversation with Zanele Fengu and Mosupatsila Nare (HRDA class of 2022, South Africa and Zimbabwe, respectively). The speakers highlighted that millions of Africans are displaced each year due to climate change related fa...

In conversation with Elsabe Boshoff, Samrawit Getaneh and Nastasia Thebaud-Bouillon-Njenga This is a podcast series brought to you by the HRDA Alumni Task Force on Climate Justice and Rights of Future Generations in Africa, hosted under the Africa Rights Talk – Centre for Human Rights podcast. The initial aim is to produce a limited series of six podcasts that form a coherent whole, introducing so...

In conversation with Prof Ademola Jegede and Davina Murden This is a podcast series brought to you by the HRDA Alumni Task Force on Climate Justice and Rights of Future Generations in Africa, hosted under the Africa Rights Talk – Centre for Human Rights podcast. The initial aim is to produce a limited series of six podcasts that form a coherent whole, introducing some of the main challenges relate...

In conversation with Tendai Shepherd Mbanje In this  episode of the Africa Rights Talk podcast, Mr. Tendai Mbanje engaged in a thought-provoking conversation addressing critical issues related to South Africa’s political landscape and democratic processes.  He noted that South Africa has witnessed declining voter registration and turnout due to disillusionment with politicians. Issues like corrupt...

In conversation with Dr David Nnanna Ikpo On Thursday, February 22, 2024, the Centre for Human Rights at the University of Pretoria hosted a film screening of a documentary commemorating two decades of legal recognition of same-sex marriages in Belgium, France, and South Africa. This documentary titled “Hold” directed by Dr. David Ikpo and produced by Tshepang Mamaregane, is a project developed in...

In conversation with Mr Angus Thomas Human and sex trafficking is a grave violation of human rights, affecting millions of people worldwide. In 2016, approximately 25 million people experienced forced labour and sexual exploitation worldwide. Women and girls are particularly vulnerable: for every ten detected victims, about five were adult women and two were girls. According to Walk Free, there ar...

In conversation with Chrispin Bosire and Mr Henok Ashagrey Kremte In this episode, Chrispin Bosire, an HRDA alumnus, engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Henok Ashagrey Kremte, a Project Officer with the Expression, Information, and Digital Rights Unit at the Centre for Human Rights, University of Pretoria. Together, they tackle the pressing issue of internet shutdowns and their profou...

In conversation with Dr Satang Nabaneh On 13 and 14 November 2023, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria  hosted over 50 scholars, researchers and activists from all over the world to commemorate Professor Ngwena’s exceptional contributions to human rights and to highlight his pioneering work in advancing sexual and reproductive health rights in Africa. During this co...