'My divorce glow-up'
As divorce rates rise across Africa, more people are embracing separation.
An episode of the Focus on Africa podcast, hosted by BBC World Service, titled "'My divorce glow-up'" was published on April 3, 2026 and runs 22 minutes.
April 3, 2026 ·22m · Focus on Africa
Summary
Divorce rates are steadily rising in many African countries. For example, government data shows the divorce rate in South Africa rose by 8.9% between 2023 and 2024. It increased by 16% in Zambia from 2022 and 2023, according to media reports. But despite the stigma that still surrounds divorce, attitudes are changing. In Kenya, some high-profile figures have even celebrated separations with “divorce parties,” while the idea of a “divorce glow-up” is gaining traction online. Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 34-year-old Millicent Bundi from Kenya, who is sharing her post-divorce journey publicly, and Zambia’s Magnus Mando (Mag44) about the challenges of divorce as a gospel singer. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editor: Maryam Abdalla
Episode Description
Divorce rates are steadily rising in many African countries. For example, government data shows the divorce rate in South Africa rose by 8.9% between 2023 and 2024. It increased by 16% in Zambia from 2022 and 2023, according to media reports. But despite the stigma that still surrounds divorce, attitudes are changing. In Kenya, some high-profile figures have even celebrated separations with “divorce parties,” while the idea of a “divorce glow-up” is gaining traction online. Focus on Africa host Nkechi Ogbonna speaks to 34-year-old Millicent Bundi from Kenya, who is sharing her post-divorce journey publicly, and Zambia’s Magnus Mando (Mag44) about the challenges of divorce as a gospel singer. Presenter : Nkechi Ogbonna Producers: Fana Negash and Carolyne Kiambo Technical Producer: David Kinyanjui Senior Producer: Priya Sippy Editor: Maryam Abdalla