Read Between The Covers

Some ideas find you in the middle of something else and refuse to let you go. That is what happened when I encountered Charisse Louw's work. Charisse is a South African scholar, creative practitioner, and Visiting Fellow at the Centre for Sociodigital Futures, completing her PhD at Stellenbosch University at the intersection of African film, new materialisms, and indigenous epistemologies. In this...

What's in a name? For Africa, it carries centuries of colonial legacy. On this episode of Read Between the Covers, philosopher Edmund Terem Ugar challenges our assumptions about one of the most commonly used names in global discourse - that of the African continent itself. While nations across Africa have shed their colonial labels, the continent's name remains untouched - a linguistic artifact of...

In this critical examination of Ta-Nehisi Coates' 'The Message,' we explore how stories shape power and how power shapes stories. We examine what happens when marginalised voices speak their truth, and why some narratives are deemed too dangerous to tell. Through Coates' lens, we discover how writing can serve as both witness and catalyst for change, illuminating truths that mainstream media often...

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," host Mfundo Mpepuka delves deep into the murky waters of digital disinformation, examining its profound impact on democracies globally, with a special focus on Africa. Join us as we uncover the roles of artificial intelligence and social media in fabricating realities, explore regulatory responses in Europe, and highlight alarming trends in African nat...

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," host Mfundo Mpepuka delves into the unfolding antitrust battles involving Google and Apple. Drawing parallels to the historic Microsoft antitrust case of the late 1990s, this episode explores how the giants of the tech industry are now facing similar challenges that could redefine their futures and reshape the technological landscape. Introduction to A...

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," host Mfundo Mpepuka delves into the state of democracy in South Africa, 30 years post-apartheid. Drawing on the poignant question posed by Langston Hughes about deferred dreams, Mfundo explores whether the promises of democracy have truly been realized in South Africa. This episode features an analysis based on the works of Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, focusing...

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," we discuss the evolving world of artificial intelligence and its rapidly intensifying arms race among tech giants. Our journey explores the historical context, breakthroughs, and current trends in AI development, highlighting the significant shifts and challenges posed by these advancements. Key Topics Covered: 1. The Emergence of Generative AI: Unpack...

In this episode of Read Between the Covers, Mfundo delves into the multifaceted crisis of democracy in Africa. This comprehensive analysis covers the recent spate of military coups, economic challenges, and the pivotal role of youth in shaping the continent's future. Join us as we explore the underlying causes of political unrest, the impact of international responses, and the potential pathways t...

In this episode, Mfundo Mpepuka takes us on a deep dive into the current state of democracy worldwide. From the philosophical roots of democracy in ancient Greece to the pressing challenges it faces today, this episode explores the multifaceted and complex nature of democratic systems across different continents. Key Points Discussed: 1. Historical Evolution of Democracy: - Tracing democracy's ori...

In this episode of Read Between The Covers, we delve into the complex relationship between AI and journalism, highlighted by the recent lawsuit between The New York Times and OpenAI. Join us as we explore the implications of this legal battle and discuss the broader impact of AI on the field of journalism. From efficiency gains to the risks of misinformation, we examine the challenges and opportun...