Remembering the Nelson Mandela legacy

Remembering the Nelson Mandela legacy

Author: BBC World Service July 20, 2026 Duration: 22:59

Every year, July 18 is marked as the Nelson Mandela International Day. It is a moment not only to celebrate the life of South Africa's first democratically elected president, but also to reflect on the values he championed which include justice, reconciliation and service to humanity. This year's commemorations included a live concert at London's Trafalgar Square, where artists gathered to honour the man affectionately known as Madiba. We speak to South African musician Asanda Mvana, better known as Msaki, about the role music can play in preserving Nelson Mandela's legacy as well as South Africa's minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie.

And how do scientists go about discovering new species of animals? We hear from Junior Amboko, the scientist who named the recently discovered species of monkey in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Presenter: Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Keikantse Shumba, Victor Chege, Ayuba Iliya and Blessing Aderogba Senior Producers: Caroline Mwangi and Charles Gitonga Technical Producer: Maxwell Onyango Editors: Rhoda Odhiambo and Maryam Abdalla


Each weekday, as the afternoon draws to a close, Focus on Africa provides a thoughtful and necessary pause to understand the continent's dynamic pulse. Produced by the BBC World Service, this daily podcast goes beyond headlines, unpacking two essential stories with depth and context. The reporting doesn't just explain the major events shaping nations and communities; it deliberately highlights the individuals living through these changes, ensuring the human dimension of every story is heard. Furthermore, the program offers a vital African perspective on worldwide events, examining how global developments resonate locally. Under the steady guidance of host Nkechi Ogbonna, listeners are offered clarity and insight, making complex issues accessible. This reliable briefing is crafted to fit into your routine, arriving before the evening with the authority and nuance you expect. Tuning into this podcast means connecting with a nuanced portrait of a continent, its people, and its place in the world, all delivered with journalistic rigor five days a week.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Focus on Africa
Podcast Episodes
Yemi Alade: beyond the music [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
Grammy-nominated Yemi Alade is one of Africa's biggest music stars and a trailblazer who has helped take Afrobeats to audiences around the world. She's collaborated with artists including Beyoncé and became the first fem…
Mali insecurity escalates amid jihadist attacks [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
At least 50 soldiers have been killed in the latest attack in Mali as insecurity mounts in the country. The ambush took place near the northern town of Anefis and is one of the deadliest to occur in years. The attack has…
Deadly wildfires ravage Algeria [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
The Algerian government has said that six people have died in wildfires in several provinces in recent days, as a deadly heatwave ravages the country. Officials have also instructed provincial governors to carry out comp…
Ebola: Kenya denies hosting US aid workers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
Kenyan authorities have denied reports that seven aid workers are quarantined in an Ebola facility in Central Kenya. Members of the public and civil society groups have raised concerns following reports that the aid work…
'Inside our polygamous marriage' [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
You may have heard about South Africa’s viral Netflix show, The Polygamist. The series has been trending across the continent, sparking conversations about relationships, marriage and fidelity. Now, according to the Pew…
Sierra Leone drops treason charge against ex-president [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
Sierra Leone's government has dropped its charges, including treason, against ex-President Ernest Bai Koroma, who was arrested in connection with an attempted coup nearly three years ago. The charges had been dropped on…
Nigeria abducted teachers and pupils speak [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
Days after the rescue of 48 school children and their teachers from kidnappers in Nigeria's Southwest Oyo State, authorities call for investigations into the abductions and the release. We hear from the families of the v…
Sudan court sentences RSF leader Hemedti. What next? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
A Sudanese court has sentenced the leader of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo - known as Hemedti - to death for war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide over atrocities committed…
Wife of Tanzania's Lissu speaks to BBC [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:59
Once the target of an assassination attempt, Tanzania's opposition leader Tundu Lissu is now behind bars awaiting trial for treason. His case has become a test of political freedoms in the country and drawn international…