Wasafiri Africa Podcast

In the highlands of Kenya, is Dondori township, located in Bahati Constituency in Nyandarua County, a mere 3 hours from Nairobi.At approximately 6,500’ or 2000m, Dondori Forest flourishes in the cool highland climate and boasts a 60’ waterfall with its own miniature rainbow.*Ruth and Muthoni sat down for a conversation, on one of Nairobi’s trademark “just perfect weather days”. Ensconced in the studio at Story Moja, both Muthoni and Ruth were keen to get started on what was clear was a shared favourite topic: telling stories.Muthoni Garland’s origin story could hardly be more befitting for someone who is so passionate about books. That Story Moja is a quietly humming efficient book churning operation, becomes clear that it’s the product of blood, sweat, tears, copious amounts of coffee and sleepless nights. Muthoni’s story has arced beautifully to this stellar point where together with the team at the coal face and behind the scenes at Story Moja, her love for reading has manifested in getting children to read. A drive so powerful, that on July 10th, 2026, an audacious goal has been pinned on the collective Story Moja consciousness: to harness the magic of one million Kenyan children reading at the same time! Complimenting the foray into Academic books, restoring Africa has taken centre stage. To quote the African literary giant Chinua Achebe: “until the lion learns to speak, the story is told by the hunter.” And so to speak, we must, according to Muthoni, by capturing the many stories of outstanding Africans pre and post the colonial era, who determined not to be erased,  championed the cause for their people. The result is the SHIZU History Books. Fantasy and real stories, creatively woven through the threads of time travel, championed by twin teenagers. Stories zig zag the continent and include Zulu Queen Mkabayi to Luo Chief Odera and shooting away again, to Ndongo Princess Njinga, and others. Born in “the original safari country” it’s not surprising that Muthoni has included a series dedicated to educating children about Kenya’s spectacular wildlife. Once again, imagination takes over the shuttle, and it’s smart young wild life detectives that go traipsing in the wild, learning fast and taking the reader along. No doubt the magic at Story Moja has only just begun. Enthused by Muthoni Garland’s fresh laughter and vibrant energy, this is one tale we won’t want to end anytime soon. Twendeni, Africa is Ready!

At the foot of Table Mountain, sits Iconic Groote Schuur hospital. Although the name loosely translates to Big Barn in Dutch, Groote Schuur has distinguished itself as anything but, with six global firsts in medicine. These include the first human to human heart transplant, fallopian tube transplant and non-invasive brain tumor detection. As a premier tertiary academic hospital in South Africa, Groote Schuur is a beloved landmark in Cape Town. *The opportunity to have a conversation with Dr Shaheem de Vries, happened organically. Ruth’s long interest in the iconic Groote Schuur Hospital, had led her to an evening of conversation on Why It Matters that we should care about this institution.Several months later, Dr Shaheem de Vries and Ruth have this conversation that reveals the layered manner in which he approaches leadership at the hospital, and why the soul of the hospital is a core focus in his management approach.Shaheem’s childhood passion to be a First Responder evidently gives him a visceral response to medical care. At Groote Schuur the Universe has conspired to align him not only with the history and trajectory of the hospital, but very importantly with people who care deeply about giving first class medical care. In some outstanding cases, the best in the world.Ruth revels at the quiet determination in Shaheem’s voice to participate in creating sustainable, democratic approaches to medical care in the Western Cape, for South Africa as well to play a contributory role in celebrating the continent's achievements in creating novel ways of delivering medical care.Aware of the value of opportunity and good leadership, Dr Shaheem de Vries is unafraid to call out the narratives that hold us back as African people, and so mask the achievements made on the continent. Africans are not just great at sports. Africans are great at anything they set their minds to do well. And that includes offering World Class Medicine, right here, in Africa.Twendeni, Africa is Ready!    

Under the terms of Separate Racial Development, in 1976, The Transkei in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, was the first Bantu Homeland to achieve a controversial independence from the Apartheid government.At approximately 18000 square miles, this area which borders Lesotho, and home to the isiXhosa people. Under an independent and democratic Republic of South Africa, in 1994, the name changed to the Eastern Cape Province, and Umtata remained as its capital.*The conversation with J. J. Taboola has been a long time coming for Ruth as each time they planned to meet, J. J. was clearly handling urgent and important matters, and Ruth would opt to reschedule. Credit to J. J. for showing up each time.Far from being grey haired or balding, J.J. Taboola reflects on how he surprised his family by leaving a thriving corporate career in finance to set up his own show. The launch of Prime Circle in 2021 was a manifestation of a 15 year old’s dream to running his own firm.Not unlike any dreamer, the movies fuelled his passion but J. J., yet far from being a wolf on Wall Street, J. J. wanted to build innovative banking for Africa, something in his own words “was not there yet”.Ruth is suitably impressed to learn that his idea such an instant hit with family and friends that funding was oversubscribed from this tight circle, to the point where he had to cap what an individual could invest. Talk about leaving the gates charging!And yet the conversation unveils that more than just dreaming, J. J. Taboola has had an a somewhat unique advantage. It becomes clear that what sometimes can appear to be happenstance becomes the core of what spins a dream into reality.  In this case, J.J. credits what her refers to as his Third Culture to have prepared him for the future he now calls his present. And so from the dream fields of the Transkei to the bustle of Cape Town, J.J. is has created a thriving competitive asset management firm. His eyes on “exotic currencies” and the vast opportunities that lie on the continent, J.J. Taboola is doing what he loves – moving funds at lighting speed at home and abroad, as part of a welcome breath of fresh air in banking in Africa.Twendeni, Africa is Ready!     

Nampula is the capital city of Nampula Province in Northern Mozambique. The third largest city in Mozambique, its unique geo location makes it a central point into Mozambique from different parts of Southern Africa. With a pristine coastline only 150 kilometers away from the Nampula City, it remains an attractive holiday destination for locals and visitors, alike.*Lizette Chirrime was cocooned in her creative eco system, when she joined Ruth for a conversation. In Mozambique, settled on her perch by the shores of the gloriously temperate Indian Ocean, her backdrop included frolicking whales and dolphins in the turquoise waters, and foraging chickens guarded by a crowing rooster, on land.Ruth and Lizette flowed into the conversation, prompted by some reminiscing of their first meeting at yet another notable exhibition of Lizette’s, held in Cape Town.Plainly speaking, Lizette Chirrime is a tour de force in herself, her formidable spirit having risen almost literally from ashes, to craft the notable artist she is known to be. In the conversation her love for family is clear, rooted in fondness for her father, and her respect for the unique history of Mozambique, remembered through the late President Samora Machel. It’s clear that Lizette is firmly rooted in Africa.Unafraid to call a spade a spade and not a big spoon, Lizette is candid and thought provoking. Ruth comes away, not only having unearthed a side of Lizette Chirrime that is mostly unknown, but also sufficiently provoked into thinking deeper about what it means to embrace African heritage more fully.Twendeni, Africa is Ready!       

Lupane District is the Capital City of Matebeleland North Province, in Zimbabwe, home to the Ndebele. The name “Lupane” is thought to relate to the Tonga word “Lupale” meaning “Dry Land”.Just 172 km from Bulawayo, Lupane boasts a State University and St Lukes Hospital, known for being a raining hospital for doctors from Europe, South America and elsewhere, seeking experience in rural African communities.* Sometime, things dove tail so nicely, one can almost sense the Invisible Hand that conspires for our good. Such was the opportunity to sit with Frank Malaba, on one of his whistle stop visits to Cape Town.Ruth recounts the pleasure of attending Frank Malaba’s firs photographic exhibition ever, on display at Young Blood Gallery in Cape Town’s Bree Street.  Beyond the enjoyment of celebrating the milestone achievement for Frank, his talent was obvious. The beautiful imagery captured numerous singularly stunning moments in everyday unscripted living, along Cape Town’s Atlantic Seaboard.The visual storytelling, mirrored the poignancy of Frank’s oral story, which besides being a recognised television and film actor, he is best known for.Frank Malaba is a consummate storyteller of African folklore and of stories that draw from life on the Continent and his personal experiences. His love for the nuances of language creates layered depth to his oratory and breadth, that serve to enrich his material.Using song, dance, and at times his guitar, Frank melds himself with the world of story and carries his enthralled audience along, and they come willingly.Get comfortable and enjoy this window into Frank Malaba’s world of story, language and photography.Twendeni, Africa is Ready!                  

Ruth and Geovany take a moment to take stock of the Wasafiri Africa journey three months on. Fourteen conversations in, and eight countries “visited” the mood is buoyant and filled with gratitude for the guests who have shared their remarkable stories and for all the listeners who have tuned in.Ruth and Geovany briefly reflect on the learnings and feedback. A key aspect has been that with the podcast being at discovery stage, feedback revealed the need to take a short publication hiatus to allow listeners to “catch up” with the conversations on offer. The festive season creates the perfect opportunity for down time and as a result, Wasafiri Africa will focus on advertorial material over the four weeks ahead and will return with a new episode on January 20th, 2026.So with a hearty thank you from Ruth, Geovany, ShenFM and Jessica, comes best wishes for a fabulous Holiday Season, while enjoying the magnificence of this continent we call home.Twendeni. Africa is ready.