African Men Speak

In this seventh episode of our "In Conversation" series, Furaha Rugura takes us through her decade-long journey documenting Kenyan music through LaMusicJunkie. What began as music journalism gradually became something broader: an exploration of culture, history, language and identity. Furaha traces that journey from growing up in urban Nairobi without speaking Kikuyu, through the frustration of fe...

In this episode of the African Men Speak " In Conversation " series, Sidney Osundwa shares his story and experience on fatherhood across three generations. The conversation explores memories of Sidney's grandfather and father, becoming a husband and parent himself, changing approaches to discipline, the importance of education and faith, the pressures of providing for a family, and the hope of lea...

Professor Akosua Adomako Ampofo joins me for a wide-ranging conversation about identity, power, faith, masculinity and the stories through which we understand ourselves and others. We begin with her idea of the classroom as an activist space and what decades of teaching have taught her about listening, disagreement and changing minds. That takes us into questions of faith, doubt and belonging: why...

In this episode of African Men Speak, I sit down with Dr Mzamo Masito, founder of African Men Care and author of This Country Hates Our Boys .  Together we explore opportunity, social fatherhood, mentorship, education, identity and what it means to help boys and young people thrive.  Rather than searching for easy answers, this conversation asks how families, communities and institutions can creat...

Janet Karanja left Kenya as a young woman, excited by the promise of building a future in the United States. Today, she is a mother, business owner, realtor, and autism advocate living in Orlando, Florida. In this conversation, Janet reflects on what life abroad actually demands: building a business, raising Black boys, navigating autism and education systems, confronting racism, and preserving Af...

What does cycling have to do with masculinity? More than I expected. This essay began with a simple observation: some roads seem built to last, while others never seem to get there. That question led me into a wider conversation about infrastructure, stewardship, power, responsibility, and the kinds of societies we choose to build. Moving between cycling, governance, Ubuntu, and African Masculinit...

In this twelfth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man in the diaspora reflects on masculinity through the lenses of leadership, emotional growth, family responsibility, and self-understanding. Raised in a female-dominated household without a father figure, he explains how masculinity for him became rooted in the ability to lead, provide, and protect — not only financially, but emotion...

In the eleventh episode of our Five Questions series, a South African woman reflects on masculinity through the lens of upbringing, balance, and changing social expectations. She traces her understanding back to a traditional household, where clearly defined roles often masked unequal realities, particularly for women managing both domestic and economic responsibilities. From this, she challenges...

In this tenth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man reflects on masculinity through the lens of identity, cultural exposure, and lived experience. He defines masculinity as being comfortable with one’s role, principles, and responsibilities as a man, shaped over time through both personal upbringing and observations across different African contexts. Drawing on experiences in countrie...

In this ninth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man reflects on masculinity through the lens of responsibility, leadership, and lived experience. He traces his understanding back to his father, particularly a moment of financial transition that revealed the weight of long-term thinking and transparency within the family. From there, the conversation expands into how masculinity is sha...

In this episode of African Men Speak , we explore the historical foundations of African masculinities through a Namibian lens, focusing on the Damara and Nama communities.  Drawing on research into gender-based violence and queer femininity, this conversation examines how pre-colonial societies organised gender roles in ways that were often fluid, functional, and context-driven — rather than rigid...

In the eighth episode of our Five Questions series, a female voice working across humanitarian contexts reflects on masculinity as something that must evolve beyond control, silence, and rigid gender roles. She challenges traditional expectations that limit men's emotional expression, arguing instead for vulnerability, self-awareness, and shared responsibility in relationships and family life. Dra...

In the seventh episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man in the diaspora reflects on how his understanding of masculinity has shifted from rigid, traditional expectations shaped in childhood to a more balanced approach that includes openness, vulnerability, and emotional awareness. Drawing from his Luo background, he discusses how cultural norms are evolving across generations, influenced...

In this episode of exploring African masculinity, we ask a fundamental question: how do we think about it?  This episode introduces key ideas and frameworks that shape how masculinity is understood — from hegemonic masculinity to plural masculinities — and why these tools matter when navigating conversations about identity, culture, and change.  Rather than offering answers, this episode focuses o...

Recorded in August 2025 , this episode features a long-form conversation with Onyango Otieno (Rixpoet) — trauma coach, writer, poet, mental health advocate, and host of the Afro-Masculinity Podcast. We discuss Onyango’s personal journey through childhood violence, depression, and sexual abuse, and how those experiences shaped his work with men and his thinking on masculinity. The conversation expl...

One year into African Men Speak, this is me reflecting on the journey so far. I look back on how I approached the work, what I actually did, what changed for me, and why the project is moving more slowly — and more deliberately — than I first imagined.  In this monologue:  Why I resisted a single authoritative voice What slowed the project down (and why that matters) What I underestimated about Af...

In this episode, we talk about Greg's personal journey across multiple countries, highlighting his morning routine, career growth, and family life. They explore topics such as adapting to new environments, multicultural parenting, marriage responsibilities, and the importance of communication and perspective-taking in relationships. We also discuss negotiation, friendship dynamics, and redefining...

In the sixth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man shares his views on masculinity, shaped by both traditional roles and modern realities. He reflects on the pressures African men face today — from navigating relationships with increasingly independent women to reconciling personal values with societal change. The man argues that while mentorship and education are essential tools for...

In the fifth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan woman reflects on shifting perceptions of masculinity within her community. She challenges the long-standing expectation that men must always appear strong and emotionless, instead advocating for a more human, supportive approach. By encouraging men to take time for themselves, seek help, and express vulnerability, her perspective adds to...

In the fourth Five Questions conversation, a Zimbabwean woman reflects on traditional gender roles, racial identity, and the struggles of the coloured community in Southern Africa. She speaks about the breakdown of masculinity since the 1990s from her perspective, the challenges men face in expressing vulnerability, and how silence often leads to unhealthy coping. From the importance of mentorship...

In the third instalment of our Five Questions series, a self-described soft-spoken Senegalese man who is not prone to aggression shares his perspectives on the dichotomy of growing up on two continents, where he has experienced different cultures and, by extension, different types and views of masculinity. He sees each generation has to go through this discourse by pushing the boundaries of what i...

In the second of our Five Questions series, a Ugandan Man working in the diaspora speaks about how he sees contemporary views of masculinity, and how they differ with traditional views and also on the lessons he wishes to pass onto his sons despite them being halfway across the world. 

In the first of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man reflects on how parenting, masculinity, and responsibility have shifted across generations. He contrasts his upbringing with the challenges of raising children today, highlighting how community bonds have weakened and consumer culture influences modern priorities. From the pressures of being a firstborn son to questioning what it means to be...

In this episode, I share why I started this podcast and my personal connection to exploring African masculinity. Growing up in Nairobi, hearing the phrase “boys don’t cry/ man up/ be a man,” and facing a personal crisis that reshaped my priorities, this episode sets the stage for the conversations ahead. I outline the journey we’ll take in Season 1, introducing the key themes, questions, and persp...

In this inaugural episode, I share why I started this podcast about African masculinity. It began with a moment of reflection while travelling for work, questioning why I felt compelled to leave my family in Kenya to earn a living, and eventually leaving that role to start a family with my partner as the primary breadwinner. This led me down a research path exploring what it means to be an African...