What If... We think differently?

Tendai Murisa unpacks the founding vision behind AfricaGiving — a platform built to make individual giving across the continent simple, trusted, and truly Pan‑African. He reflects on the early reasoning, the gaps AfricaGiving set out to solve, and why empowering everyday givers is essential for Africa’s development journey. A thoughtful, grounded conversation on philanthropy, community, and the fu...

Tendai Murisa sits down with Nontsikelelo Nzula, coordinator of AfricaGiving, to unpack practical lessons from their individual‑giving journey since 2023. They explore what’s working, what’s shifting, and how the refreshed AfricaGiving platform is helping people discover and support frontline organisations across the continent. You’ll hear how the platform now connects 43 organisations in 17 count...

This second episode of our deep dive into Shifts in the Land and the Agrarian Question in Africa moves from analysis to action, emphasizing that Africa’s development hinges on resolving the land question. We highlight urgent responses to transform agrarian structures, practical pathways for policymakers and communities to reclaim agency, and strategies for rethinking land ownership and use across...

In this episode of The What If...We Think Differently? podcast, we dive into Dr. Tendai Murisa’s groundbreaking book Shifts in the Land and Agrarian Question in Africa. This first part of a two-part series traces Africa’s journey to the present, unpacking the historical legacies of colonial land dispossession and the enduring agrarian question. We explore how land has been framed as property, powe...

In a world pulled apart by polarisation, collapsing trust, and the rise of extreme positions, we need to rediscover the middle - not as a political position, but as a way of thinking rooted in compromise, consensus‑building, and Ubuntu. This podcast explores the urgent need to rediscover consensus in an age defined by fragmentation — from global governance failures to the erosion of shared values,...

Across Zimbabwe, courageous organisations are standing on the frontlines of gender‑based violence — offering safety, legal protection, medical care, and healing for survivors. But they cannot do it alone. This episode introduces the We Are One Fund, a bold new way of pooling resources to ensure these life‑saving services are sustained and strengthened. We challenge old assumptions, imagine new pos...

Across Zimbabwe, courageous organisations are standing on the frontlines of gender‑based violence — offering safety, legal protection, medical care, and healing for survivors. But they cannot do it alone. This episode introduces the We Are One Fund, a bold new way of pooling resources to ensure these life‑saving services are sustained and strengthened. We challenge old assumptions, imagine new pos...

In this concluding episode of Africa’s Path , we move from diagnosis to action. Building on the continent’s current challenges, the conversation centres on what must be done to reclaim Africa’s development agenda. We explore practical solutions that empower local entrepreneurs, strengthen agency, and unlock innovation. From investing in homegrown enterprises to reimagining financing models and nur...

This opening episode of Africa’s Path explores the continent’s current economic and social crossroads, drawing on an earlier insight. We unpack Africa’s debt challenges, food insecurity, and reliance on imports, while highlighting the urgent need to reframe prosperity beyond GDP. The conversation teases bold solutions rooted in agency, entrepreneurship, and self-determined transformation—from reth...

What does civic tech actually change—and how do we know it is working? In this episode, we unpack the “So What?” question behind African Citizens Watch, a platform built to strengthen public accountability across Africa. From promises to actions, we explore how African Citizens Watch connects evidence to action—and why that matters for governance, donor engagement, and grassroots advocacy. Tune in...

Diving into Zimbabwe’s challenges and opportunities, and final insights from the series.

Four years in office; one more year to go: Has the government of Zambia done enough for a second term?

Botswana has long been hailed as a model of democratic stability in Africa. Yet, since gaining independence in 1966, the country remained under the rule of a single dominant party—until the historic elections of October 2024. The Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) emerged victorious, ushering in a new era of governance. In this episode, we explore whether this political shift has led to meaningf...

A closer look at the Government of National Unity in South Africa. Can they navigate internal tensions to deliver on commitments made to citizens? For the first time since 1994, the ANC has lost its parliamentary majority. Now, ten parties are partnering under the Government of National Unity (GNU). But can shared governance deliver unity, or will it deepen division? In this episode of What If ......

Democracy isn’t a one-time event—it’s a journey. African Citizens Watch is committed to walking that path alongside everyday citizens, tracking the promises made by governments during elections across Zimbabwe, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, and South Africa. In this podcast series, we pull back the curtain. You will hear directly from the researchers immersed in the data, offering unfiltered insights...

Explore how NGOs are redefining themselves beyond the traditional model, shifting back to authentic, membership-based associations and unions led by member interests. Learn about community-embedded organisations, innovative revenue strategies for sustainability, and hybrid models that blend community leadership with social enterprise. Gain concise, practical insights for building resilient, future...

In this episode, we examine the future of NGOs amid a rapidly changing global landscape. As traditional aid models face disruption, marked by reduced foreign funding and shifting donor priorities, NGOs must adapt to survive. We discuss how aid, once driven by donor interests and conditionalities, is being reimagined around mutual benefit and local agency, especially as Africa asserts its leverage...

In this episode, we dive headfirst into the fast-changing world of NGOs and nonprofits! Discover how organisations are navigating a perfect storm of funding cuts, rising costs, and fierce competition for resources, all while demand for their services keeps climbing. We will unpack why today’s leaders need to think beyond traditional models, embracing entrepreneurial mindsets and bold strategies li...

In this episode of the What If… We think differently? podcast, we discuss the dramatic shifts in NGO funding that unfolded in January 2025, focusing on the significant cuts to official development aid by major donors like the US and European countries. Drawing from Tendai’s recent paper, The Future of NGOs (https://doi.org/10.59186/SI.3KYH7WCH), we distil the key issues around sustainability and t...

We discuss the supposed ephemeral nature of community-based foundations practicing philanthropy in African Philanthropy. In this conversation, Tendai and Nonstikelelo interrogate the lack of systems, structure, and sustainability of African organisations. Although agile and responsive, Tendai posits that such African philanthropy organisations have not set themselves up for permanence because in t...

In this episode, we discuss the future of African Philanthropy as well as its vast potential to contribute towards the development of the continent. The conversation highlights emerging opportunities for giving from a growing African middle class, an engaged and connected youthful population and the growing impact of African multinational corporations with larger capacities to contribute through c...

In this episode, Tendai Murisa and Nontsikelelo Nzula examine the distinctive cultural factors influencing philanthropic practices in Africa, contrasting community-driven initiatives with global giving. They discuss the roles of High-Net-Worth Individuals and corporate philanthropy in the African context, emphasizing the necessity for African philanthropy to transcend external frameworks. The disc...

In this episode, we undertake a comprehensive exploration of the multifaceted nature of African philanthropy. Our discussion delves into its historical roots and traces the evolution of philanthropic practices through various eras. We examine the impact of urbanization, noting how it can dilute the communal bonds that traditionally underpin philanthropy. Additionally, we consider the role of gende...

The discussion provides a comprehensive examination of the concept of philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on the distinctions between African philanthropy and global philanthropy. It underscores the communal aspects of charitable giving that characterise many African societies, the rise of African billionaires as key philanthropic figures, and the complexities involved in defining philanthrop...

Is there an alternative approach to development in Zimbabwe? What are the key challenges hindering Zimbabwe's development, and what viable alternatives exist? Join us to explore and dissect these ideas in this episode.