What's in a name? For Africa, it carries centuries of colonial legacy. On this episode of Read Between the Covers, philosopher Edmund Terem Ugar challenges our assumptions about one of the most commonly used names in global discourse - that of the African continent itself. While nations across Africa have shed their colonial labels, the continent's name remains untouched - a linguistic artifact of European exploration that raises profound questions about identity and self-determination. This conversation ventures beyond academic theory to examine real consequences: How do inherited names shape young Africans' understanding of their heritage? What happens when we try to reclaim linguistic sovereignty while preserving diverse indigenous naming traditions? Could reimagining Africa's name reshape its place in global politics?Join us for an eye-opening hour that transforms a seemingly simple question - 'What should we call Africa?' - into a window onto power, identity, and the future of a continent.​​​​​​​

In this critical examination of Ta-Nehisi Coates' 'The Message,' we explore how stories shape power and how power shapes stories. We examine what happens when marginalised voices speak their truth, and why some narratives are deemed too dangerous to tell. Through Coates' lens, we discover how writing can serve as both witness and catalyst for change, illuminating truths that mainstream media often leaves in shadow.

In this episode of "Read Between the Covers," host Mfundo Mpepuka delves deep into the murky waters of digital disinformation, examining its profound impact on democracies globally, with a special focus on Africa.

Join us as we uncover the roles of artificial intelligence and social media in fabricating realities, explore regulatory responses in Europe, and highlight alarming trends in African nations.

What is discussed:

• How artificial intelligence, including technologies like GPT-4 and voice cloning tools, is reshaping the creation and spread of disinformation.
• The strategic role of social media platforms in amplifying disinformation and the ongoing regulatory battles to curb their influence, particularly within the European Union.
• Detailed insights into the surge of disinformation campaigns across Africa, their origins, and the devastating effects on political stability and public trust.