More Than A Story

In 1972, a 22-year-old policeman from northern Uganda ran 47.82 seconds around a track in Munich and broke the world record in the 400 metre hurdles. His name was John Akii-Bua, and that race gave Uganda its first Olympic gold medal. But this isn't just a story about athletic greatness. It's about what happens when a regime needs a symbol, and an ordinary man becomes one. Akii-Bua trained under British coach Malcolm Arnold, refined his stride on dirt tracks and police compounds, and mastered one of the most technically demanding events in athletics. He did it with discipline and quiet precision, not spectacle. But he did it inside Idi Amin's Uganda. And the country that cheered him in 1972 would eventually force him into exile. This episode traces John Akii-Bua's life from the plains of Lango to a podium in Munich, and asks what it really means to win when the nation pinning its pride to your chest is already coming apart.A big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredI also featured music from Ebo Krdum. Please check out his awesome library on the various streaming platforms. To get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

For nearly two centuries after her death, Saartjie Baartman did not rest.Taken from South Africa in 1810 and exhibited in Europe as a spectacle, she died in Paris at just twenty-five. But death did not end her captivity. Her body was dissected, preserved, displayed in a museum, and legally claimed by the French state. For 187 years, she remained far from home - not as a person, but as an object.This episode traces the long and often uncomfortable journey to bring her back to South Africa. It explores the science that justified her dissection, the laws that kept her in Paris, the poetry that stirred political will, and the deeper question that lingers even after her burial: What does it really mean to bring someone home?This is not just a story about colonial spectacle. It’s a story about memory, power, and the unfinished work of dignity.A big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredTo get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

Kruger National Park didn’t begin as a sanctuary. It began as a warning. In the late 1800s, South Africa’s wildlife was collapsing under relentless hunting, war, and the belief that nature was limitless. From the first, fragile proclamation of the Sabi Game Reserve in 1898 to the lonely patrols of its first warden, James Stevenson-Hamilton, this story traces how a wounded landscape slowly began to recover. Elephants returned where none had walked for decades. Lions reclaimed silent valleys. And against poaching, politics, and deep public scepticism, the idea of protecting wilderness took hold.But Kruger’s story is not one of simple triumph. It is shaped by contradiction, by communities removed in the name of preservation, by changing ideas about predators as “vermin,” by scientific control and hard lessons learned through fire, flood, and loss. From colonial conquest to apartheid, from poaching wars to land restitution and transfrontier conservation, Kruger reflects South Africa’s own turbulent history. This episode explores how the park was made, what it cost, and why its greatest legacy is not perfection, but resilience - the ongoing choice to protect something wild, complicated, and deeply human.A big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredTo get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

In November 2025, Johannesburg will host the first G20 Summit ever held on African soil. This episode traces the remarkable story behind that moment. From South Africa’s long journey out of apartheid isolation to Africa’s decades-long struggle for global representation, we follow the arc that led the world’s most powerful economies to gather in the heart of Gauteng.We explore how the G20 was born out of crisis, how it evolved into a central forum of global governance, and why its future now depends on the rising influence of the Global South. As global tensions reshape international politics, Johannesburg becomes more than a venue, it becomes a symbol of a world undergoing profound change.This is the story of power, history, and the shifting balance of global influence. And it begins before the motorcades arrive.Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredTo get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

A small Boer commando led by Jan Smuts plunges into the Cape Colony, surviving ambush, starvation, and a brutal mountain storm before seizing a British camp in one of the war’s most daring raids. Through the eyes of Deneys Reitz, this episode reveals the grit, tragedy, and unexpected humanity that shaped the guerrilla war.Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredTo get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

In 1960, Patrice Lumumba rose to power as the first Prime Minister of Congo, a nation newly independent from brutal Belgian colonial rule. His impassioned speech defying the King of Belgium on independence day marked him as a fearless leader, but also made him a target. As Lumumba fought for a truly unified and independent Congo, he faced immediate challenges: a mutiny in the army, the secession of the resource-rich Katanga province backed by Belgian interests, and the looming shadow of the Cold War. His desperate appeal to the Soviet Union for aid solidified Western fears, leading to a calculated conspiracy involving foreign powers and domestic rivals to remove him.Dragged through the streets, isolated, and ultimately betrayed, Lumumba was brutally assassinated in January 1961, at just 35 years old. His death was a deliberate act to crush the dream of a truly free Africa and to ensure continued access to Congo's vast mineral wealth. Yet, the attempt to erase him failed. Lumumba's legacy grew louder in his absence, becoming a potent symbol of resilience, dignity, and the enduring struggle against imperial influence. This is more than a historical account; it's a gripping tale of power, betrayal, and a dream that refused to die. Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredTo get in touch, see references and access additional media and content - visit:https://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

Chapter Six: Resolutions & Reflections. Approaching Christmas Day, 1782, a Xhosa chief encounters a strange, scurvy-ridden figure: William Habberley, a survivor of the Grosvenor shipwreck. Despite his ghastly appearance, Habberley is offered sustenance and shelter. However, an act of desperation leads to his banishment. Undeterred, Habberley encounters more benevolent tribes, and his body begins to mend. He eventually meets other castaways, including Tom Lewis, and learns of the varied fates of the Grosvenor's survivors.A rescue mission eventually locates Habberley, Lewis, and Bianco. Despite the ongoing Anglo-Dutch War, humanity prevails, and the survivors are offered safe passage to the Cape. Tragedy strikes again for some on their journey home, highlighting the immense loss of the Grosvenor. Yet, the story also reveals remarkable instances of adaptation and survival, particularly John Bryan’s integration into the Pondo tribe. His journey, marked by hope, kindness, and ultimate tragedy, underscores the untold stories hidden within the oral traditions of Africa.This season is dedicated to two dear friends lost during the production of this season. Sharon and Sibo - thank you for shaping my life. Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

Chapter Five of Six: A Sombre SalvationThis episode focuses on the diverging fates of the Grosvenor survivors. We witness Captain Coxon's shocking betrayal as he abandons the most vulnerable passengers, including children and the ailing William Hosea, choosing self-preservation over duty. Hosea's tragic demise, despite his considerable wealth, highlights the brutal realities of their struggle.Meanwhile, two other groups emerge, each facing their own desperate trials. Thomas Page's group, including young Thomas Law and the resilient Barney Leary, battles exhaustion, starvation, and the unforgiving African landscape. Their journey is marked by both grim discoveries and unexpected acts of kindness from the Xhosa people.Simultaneously, a smaller party led by Taylor, Williams, and Habberley endures its own harrowing trek, losing companions to the relentless elements and hostile encounters. The episode culminates in a miraculous moment of salvation for the surviving six men, who, after 118 days and 600 kilometers, finally reach a Dutch settlement. Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

Chapter Four of Six: Costly Calls.The Grosvenor survivors face a harsh new reality on the Transkei coast. William Hosea, clinging to his family and hidden diamonds, despairs, while merchant partners Williams and Taylor mourn their lost fortune. Captain Coxon struggles to maintain authority over the increasingly defiant Lascar sailors, offering them false hope of a quick journey to the Cape. After a tense encounter with local Pondo men, the survivors begin their arduous trek south.Their journey is fraught with challenges. The Pondo people are wary and at times hostile, as seen when they disarm Coxon and later clash with the sailors. They meet Trout, a Javanese escaped slave, who paints a grim picture of their journey, shattering their fragile optimism. Second Mate William Shaw leads a splintered group towards the uMzimvubu river, including merchants Williams and Taylor, and surprisingly, young Thomas Law, who becomes a symbol of enduring humanity. They face formidable rivers, treacherous terrain, and dwindling supplies. They split again, Shaw’s group heading inland. After a brief period of unexpected kindness from a local tribe, a crucial missed opportunity, they return to the coast. The brutal realities of the journey, including starvation and predators, claim more lives. Shaw, once their beacon of hope, succumbs to illness, leaving a mere nine survivors to continue their desperate march towards an unknown salvation.Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

Chapter Three of Six. Before the Grosvenor. This chapter delves into early European shipwrecks along the African coast, predating the 1782 Grosvenor incident. It reveals a complex history of encounters, contrasting initial hostilities (like those with Bartolomeu Dias and Francisco d'Almeida) with surprising instances of trade and aid from local communities. Shipwrecks like the Sao Joao, Sao Bento, and Dodington highlight both the immense perils faced by sailors and the resilience and humanity shown by both castaways and African tribes. The chapter ultimately sets the stage for the Grosvenor narrative, emphasizing that its predominantly hostile reception was an exception to historical patterns, challenging the often-assumed narrative of inherent African hostility towards shipwrecked Europeans.Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here:https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

Chapter Two of Six: Cast By Chaos. Join us for a gripping episode as we recount the harrowing shipwreck of the Grosvenor off the treacherous Wild Coast of Africa in 1782. Experience the chaos, despair, and moments of incredible bravery as survivors battle the raging sea to reach the shore.But the ordeal doesn't end there. We delve into the complex first encounter between the Grosvenor's diverse crew and passengers and the indigenous amaMpondo people. This episode sets the stage for a deeper exploration of historical shipwrecks and castaway narratives along this coastline, revealing the rich tapestry of human connection and cultural fusion that defines this region.Discover the legendary story of Bessie, a young survivor from an earlier shipwreck, who became a queen in Pondoland—a testament to resilience, adaptability, and unexpected destinies.Tune in to understand the challenging new reality facing the Grosvenor survivors and the profound historical context of their arrival on African soil.Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here: https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show

Chapter One of Six.On a windswept shore, a childhood tale of shipwreck and buried treasure ignites a decades-long quest. This episode delves into the story of the Grosvenor, an 18th-century East Indiaman whose tragic fate intertwines with colonial ambition and the desperate struggle for survival. A chance discovery of Indian diamonds in 1927 unravels a mystery, leading to a tale of betrayal, bravery, and cultural clash on Africa's eastern frontier. Join as we trace the Grosvenor's perilous voyage and the human drama that unfolded when the sea delivered strangers to a land already at war.Thanks to our main sponsor Lambazi Lodge, as well as our partner Active Escapes.https://www.lambazilodge.com/https://www.active-escapes.co.za/Also a big thanks to SergePavkinMusic for providing the soundtrack. You can access his music library here: https://www.youtube.com/@SergePavkinMusic/featuredSee references and additional media and content athttps://www.morethanastory.co.zaSupport the show