Africa Daily

The government says as it battles a surge in Covid-19 cases a ban on alcohol is necessary to alleviate the pressure on its healthcare system. The last ban was imposed on December 28th. But the South African government is now facing mounting legal challenges to its ban on alcohol. The brewing industry argues that legal action is needed to protect its employees, suppliers, and customers. It says the damage to the South African economy is disproportional and unlawful and takes away the right of the South African public to responsibly consume a drink in the safety of their home. It says unless the ban is lifted millions of jobs could go. So, is the government taking the right path to fight the pandemic? That's what we've been looking at in today's episode of Africa Daily. Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

Young Tunisians are fuming.For the last two weeks, they’ve been organising protests across the country, sometimes clashing with the police. And the unrest couldn’t have come at a more symbolic time. It’s now ten years since Tunisia got rid of its long-serving President, Ben Ali. The type of occasion that calls for a toast, right? Not quite. Many people feel their problems remain unaddressed - from the lack of jobs to police repression.So, will their voices be heard this time?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

We need to talk about periods.For many women across the continent, being unable to buy sanitary products every month means missing school or work. That’s what experts call “period poverty”.African governments are aware of the problem: Ethiopia has recently cut down taxes on sanitary products, hoping to address the issue.But some say tax cuts aren’t the way to go and that, first of all, taboos need to be broken and mentalities changed. Could they be right?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Is the worse still to come?A new variant of coronavirus that scientists think started in South Africa appears to be spreading across the continent. It seems to be more transmissible than the original strain and slightly more resistant to the existing vaccines. Compared to the rest of the world, Africa has seen a relatively low Covid-related death toll. But, in Zimbabwe, Covid cases have tripled since the start of January and doctors say hospitals are overwhelmed. How quickly is the new variant spreading – and how dangerous could it be for Africa? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Is it time to say “adieu”?France has had troops across the Sahel for years now. They’ve been fighting a number of violent jihadist groups that have spread across the region.Mali is at the centre of their operation, but some people have had enough.They want the French soldiers gone, even if insurgents are unlikely to lay down their weapons.Has the time come for Mali to wave French troops goodbye?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Feeding a continent is hard work.To produce enough food for 1.3 billion people is no mean feat, but climate change is making that job even more difficult.As the world is getting hotter, African farmers are in a race against time to find new and ingenious ways to work under increasingly extreme conditions.A Malawian farmer has an idea – but can she succeed?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#AfricaDaily

Is this Museveni’s last dance?Yoweri Museveni may have won a sixth term as Uganda’s president, but his party took a battering in parts of the country.And, as his critics are quick to point out, Museveni’s now 76 – which has led some to wonder whether this might be his victory lap. So what happens now? And what does the turmoil and controversy around the election tell us about Uganda’s future? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #Africa Daily

Covid is costing many of us our jobs.An African Union report says as many as 20 million could go as a result of the pandemic.Even before all this began, youth unemployment across Africa was already twice as high as that among older adults.So when economies started slowing down, young workers were the first to feel the pressure.What can African governments do to protect them?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter)#Africa Daily

Is Africa on Joe Biden’s mind?Well, he has quite a lot on his plate right now: in just a few hours, he’s being inaugurated as President of the United States. But as the world waves Donald Trump goodbye, many will be wondering how Joe Biden will reshape America’s foreign policy – especially across Africa. What will his arrival mean for the continent? And what can we all expect from him?Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter) #AfricaDaily

The joys and anxieties of returning to Africa. For many people in the diaspora, the decision of returning to Africa does not come naturally – and yet, some are making that journey back. But why?And what’s in it for countries like Ghana, who’ve actively been asking their diaspora to reconnect to the motherland? Hosted by Alan Kasujja (@Kasujja on Twitter), with a special contribution from journalist Hannah Ajala.Post about us on social media: #AfricaDaily