South Africans debate the migrant question

Loading player...
In South Africa, rising anti-immigration protests are once again putting xenophobia in the spotlight. We hear from two South Africans with opposing views to understand what’s fuelling the anger, from economic pressure to questions of identity and belonging.

Then, we turn to sport, where Kenyan athlete Sebastian Sawe is making global headlines. After a record-breaking performance in London, he has become the first runner to break the two-hour marathon barrier in a competitive race. We look at what this achievement means for the future of long-distance running and what it takes to reach such extraordinary levels.

Presenter : Charles Gitonga
Producer: Rukia Bulle
Technical Producer: Mbarak Abdallah
Senior Producers: Keikantse Shumba and Blessing Aderogba
Editors: Priyanka Sippy and Maryam Abdalla
29 Apr 11AM English United Kingdom News

Other recent episodes

'Is diaspora written on my forehead?'

For the longest time, Africa’s migration story has largely been one way: people leaving the continent in search of opportunity. But that story is beginning to shift. Africa’s young diaspora who were born and raised in Europe, the United States and Canada are increasingly choosing to move to countries their…
1 May 11AM 22 min

Uganda sovereignty bill: protection or policing?

Uganda’s new bill could jail citizens for up to 20 years for unauthorised foreign funding, citing concerns over foreign influence on national policy. This has raised questions about the future of civil society, independent organisations, and political freedoms in the country. We look at what the Sovereignty Bill could mean…
30 Apr 11AM 22 min

What’s driving the coordinated attacks across Mali?

We look at what’s behind the coordinated attacks in Mali by the Azawad Liberation Front and JNIM, which are raising fresh questions about how much control the military-led government really has and whether its alliance with Russia’s Africa Corps is making a meaningful difference in tackling insecurity. At the same…
28 Apr 11AM 22 min

Tanzania’s report on election violence sparks debate

Tanzania is under growing scrutiny after a government report revealed there were 518 deaths during the October 2025 elections. The report says 197 of those killed died from gunshot wounds. However, the report doesn’t say who was responsible for the deaths, recommending further investigations. We unpack what it means and…
27 Apr 11AM 24 min

Why more men are getting paternity tests

One testing centre in Nigeria told the Focus on Africa Podcast that the number of paternity tests it conducted rose by 28.8% in 2025 compared to the previous year. Focus on Africa Podcast host Nkechi Ogbonna spoke to Peter Ngumba, a lab technologist in Kenya who, through his work conducting…
24 Apr 11AM 24 min