
All Episodes - The 77 Percent - Topics
77 percent of Africans are younger than 35. And they are shaping the continent's future. Are you part of the 77 percent? Come and join the debate!
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The 77 Percent – Why are Malawi’s young pastors against regulation?
In Malawi, four children tragically died during a suspected demonic exorcism, reigniting the debate about the regulation of religious practices. Last month, Ireen Banda reportedly beat the children severely, resulting in their deaths, while following the instructions of a 4-year-old 'prophet.' The 77 Percent talks to pastors who insist religious freedom must be respected.

The 77 Percent - What does the Olympic games mean to young Africans? - MP3-Stereo
Several African athletes are competing in this year's Olympic Games in Paris, hopeful of bringing glory to their home countries and African continent. But how much do these games mean to young Africans?

Is youth activism making African leaders worried?
The wave of youth-led protests in Kenya is shocking the world but inspiring youth activism in Africa. Youth around the continent are watching their counterparts thwart President William Ruto in Kenya. Young Africans seem undeterred by the warnings coming from Ruto and other leaders such as Yoweri Museveni in Uganda. Should African leaders be worried about a revolution in the making?

The 77 Percent — Have you ever felt your degree is just a piece of paper?
A trend—not unique to Africa—is emerging: graduates are taking up work unrelated to their studies. Accountants are working as tailors and engineers as street vendors. Is the job market letting Africa's youth down? Or is an entrepreneurial spirit emerging?

The 77 Percent — Why are young people marrying late?
Uganda’s President Yoweri Museveni has advised young people to avoid marrying late in life. He says getting married early comes with many benefits. So, why are young people marrying late?

The 77 Percent — Is Nigeria doing enough to protect the youth against extremism?
From school closures and student abductions to teacher shortages and the psychological toll on students, The 77 Percent uncovers the profound challenges faced by Nigeria's youth. We explore how terrorist attacks are reshaping the future of education and what steps the government must take to ensure safety and stability.

The 77 Percent — Is acquiring a foreign passport more valuable than a PhD?
Does a foreign passport open more opportunities than a PhD from your country? That's our discussion this week on #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Is it better to circumcise at birth or later?
Is it better to circumcise at birth or later? What do Ugandan women prefer: circumcised or uncircumcised men? That's our discussion this week on #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Should the government meddle in local football
Is the dispute between Samuel Eto’o and the Cameroon Football Federation solely about sports, or does it extend into the realm of politics? Listen to this interesting debate.

The 77 Percent — Is it easy for young Africans from abroad to invest at home?
Many young Africans living in the diaspora say they want to invest their funds back home - but often, they face administrative bottlenecks and societal constraints. In this episode of the 77 Percent show, we are talking to a group of young people about their challenges and the way forward.

The 77 Percent — Does fear of prosecution drive African leaders' sit-tight attitudes?
Is Gambia paving the way in showing that there should be accountability for presidents who abuse power while in office? Listen to this interesting debate from young people in The Gambia.

The 77 Percent: Should women drop their married surnames after divorce?
Some divorced women say they face pressure from society to drop their married names tied to their ex-husbands. What's your stance on this contentious issue?

The 77 Percent — Is South Africa a model of African democracy
On April 27, 2024, South Africa commemorates 30 years of democracy. On this date in 1994, the ANC celebrated a landslide victory at the general elections, pledging radical transformation. Despite these promises, the nation continues to grapple with inequality, racism, and reports of rampant corruption. With a crucial election approaching do you think South Africa's democracy matured in 30 years?

The 77 Percent — Young Africans hit by UK care visa scandal speak out
The UK faces accusations of granting sponsorship licenses to fake companies, leading to thousands of young Africans being stranded there without work. To worsen the situation, unscrupulous agents demand high fees for visas but fail to deliver promised jobs despite receiving payment. Listen to this interesting debate #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Is corporal punishment an effective way to discipline kids?
Corporal punishment is a controversial topic in many African countries. Some argue it is an appropriate way to discipline children, while others argue it causes harm and leads to abuse. #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Is Senegal sending a message to young Africans?
Senegal swore in Bassirou Diomaye Faye on Tuesday. He becomes the youngest African president. Nigeria's Bola Tinubu is 72 and Ghana's Nana Akuffo-Addo is 80. But Africa's oldest leader is Cameroon's Paul Biya, aged 91. So, is Faye's victory a sign that Africa's youth are ready to lead? Listen to this interesting podcast.

The 77 Percent — Do you want to be an author? Listen to this!
Are you inspired by African authors like Ngugi wa Thiong’o or Chimamanda Adichie? Writing can seem like a glamorous career and African authors have played a significant role in changing the way the continent is viewed. However, did you know that as an author, you may need to sell your books on the streets or relinquish your intellectual property rights to a big publishing house in the West?

The 77 Percent — Why is Malawi sending young laborers to Israel?
Over 700 Malawians have started working in Israel following a deal between the two countries. Malawi's government says the agreement seeks to create jobs for its young population. As an African youth, would you take up this opportunity?

The 77 Percent — Is Afrobeats under threat?
Afrobeats has become known for global sensations like Burna Boy, Davido, Asake, Arya Starr, and Rema. In 2023, the genre achieved remarkable success, amassing an impressive 7.1 billion streams on Spotify and accumulating over 223 million hours of playtime. But what lies ahead for Afrobeats, as Universal Music Group acquires majority shares in Don Jazzy's Mavin Records?

The 77 Percent — Young people react to energy crisis in Africa
Did you know that a 2021 study shows that an estimated 600 million Africans lack access to electricity? On this week's 77 Percent Show, we asked young people how they cope when the power goes off. Listen to this interesting debate!

Africa's debt management controversy
More African countries are likely to join Chad, Zambia, Ethiopia, and Ghana in seeking to restructure their debt under the G20 “Common Framework for Debt Treatments,” according to the United Nations. However, many young people in debt-ridden African nations feel their leaders have mishandled finances to their detriment. #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent: Do you prefer an African or foreign national coach?
"If African coaches are given enough resources and liberty to function without interference, no national team on the continent will need a foreigner as coach." Do you agree with this? Listen to this interesting debate

The 77 Percent — Is Rwanda safe for asylum seekers?
Young Africans are undertaking perilous journeys across the world, fleeing their home countries for various reasons. Seeking a safe haven in Europe, the US, the UK, and other destinations — with no intention of returning to Africa — including Rwanda. But Rwanda has already established agreements with the UK, regarding arrangements for hosting asylum seekers. Is this what young Africans want?

The 77 Percent —Is signing a prenup 'un-African'?
As marital disputes and divorce rates rise, more and more couples are looking into prenuptial agreements. Some see the documents as red flags in relationships with no trust and respect while others say its an important agreement that every couple should have. What's your view? #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Guinness World Record sensation among young Africans
The surge in Guinness World Record attempts has become a phenomenon across Africa. In Ghana alone, approximately 355 submissions have been made to the Guiness World Record for various attempts. Why is this trend gaining such momentum on the continent? This is what young Ghanaians think.

New Year's resolutions: Why do they fail?
As 2024 gets underway, I'm pretty sure we want to start on the right foot. Some people have already made resolutions for the year, which may include keeping fit, saving more cash, or even studying harder. But now the question is: Why don't the majority of people stick to their resolutions? #77Percent #DWAfrica

Has Christmas lost its meaning among young Africans?
Christmas, for many people, is a holiday season that provides opportunities for families to reunite. It also allows us to take a break from our daily routine and reflect on the year gone by. But is Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, losing its meaning? How has the economy affected Christmas? And how is Christmas today compared to years ago? #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Concerns over systematic killing of women by their partners
Some young African women are not sure they want to get married because they're afraid their husbands will kill them. In Cameroon in 2023, up to 60 women were killed by their partners. Why is the killing of women by their husbands or partners on the rise, and what can be done to stop it? Listen to this interesting debate...

The 77 Percent —Do partners have the "right" to sex at all times?
Sex is an integral part of marriage. But do partners have the "right" to have sex at all times? Some partners blame each other for refusing to have sex. How rampant are such cases where you are, and what needs to be done? #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — African youths discuss dwindling fortunes of Nollywood actors
Nollywood is one of the world's most prolific cinematic enterprises, producing over 2,000 movies annually and contributing about 2.3% to Nigeria's GDP. Despite the actors and actresses being regarded as some of Nigeria's most fashionable and wealthy celebrities, many veterans are making shocking social media appearances to solicit financial support. What are the stakes for the younger actors?

77 Percent Final The Gambia's controversial ex-presidents' law - MP3-Stereo
Politicians in the Gambia have enacted a law that will make life of ex-presidents and their spouses modestly more comfortable after they leave office. The Former Presidents’ Bill 2023 is viewed as an incentive to incumbents to willingly vacate office and avoid the perpetuation of their tenure.

Bribes and sex for jobs
As unemployment hits millions of young Africans, many are now being compelled to bribe or even offer sex for getting a job. For more on the topic, listen to this 77 Percent podcast hosted by DW's Chrispin Mwakideu.

The 77 Percent — How important is visa free policy for Africa
Rwanda has now joined The Seychelles, The Gambia, and Benin in removing travel restrictions for Africans. Meanwhile, Kenya’s President William Ruto has announced that its visa-free policy will start in 2024. But many young Africans are hoping that this can expand to the rest of the continent. Listen to young people in Rwanda and Ghana.

The 77 Percent — Military Career Among Young Africans
In Gabon which was hit by a coup d'état one month ago, joining the ranks of the army in the post-coup era is more than a source of pride for young people. In Cameroon, close to 30,000 youths, 35 percent of them women, have applied to fill 3,000 positions in the Rapid Intervention Battalion, (BIR) and presidential guard. What motivates young Africans to join the military?

Male vs. female medics, what's your preference?
In the event you fall sick and need medical attention, does gender matter when choosing a health professional to attend to you? In Tanzania, elderly men suffering from hydrocele disease, a condition that is characterised by the swelling of the scrotum, protest being attended to by female health care providers.

Do partner-dependent women hinder feminism?
As the feminist movement continues to gain momentum, exploring the relationship between financial dependence and the pursuit of gender equality becomes increasingly essential. This debate aims to unravel the layers of this complex issue.

The 77 Percent — Should all African countries abolish the death penalty?
Human rights groups have called for the death penalty to be abolished globally and replaced with longer prison sentences, so persons wrongfully convicted of certain crimes are not executed. So far only 29 out of 55 African countries have completely abolished the death penalty. On this week’s 77 Percent Show we ask if the rest of Africa should abolish the death penalty? #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Can Africa survive without external support?
According to the World Bank, Sub-Saharan Africa remains the largest recipient of foreign aid. But in the past months, coup-hit countries in Africa like Gabon and Niger have had foreign aid suspended. Can this have big effects on these countries, or would they be better off without it? We explore this in this week's 77 Percent Show. #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Should TikTok be banned or regulated?
TikTok is facing bans in Africa. In Senegal the government banned TikTok, citing "hateful and subversive" messages. The Somali government ordered a ban on TikTok, Telegram and an online betting site, claiming that these platforms were being used by "terrorists" for propaganda purposes. And in Kenya there are calls to ban TikTok due to "explicit sexual content" allegedly eroding cultural values.

The 77 Percent — Role of young diasporans in enhancing African democracy
30 since Eritrea fought and won independence from Ethiopia, some of its citizens in the diaspora who are dissatisfied with the country's democracy have been agitating. Similar independence movements have typified the Nigerian and Cameroonian diaspora for years. Follow this interesting debate with our panellists, Simon Ekpa in Finland, Tapang Ivo Tanku in the US, and Fabrice Lena in Cameroon.

The 77 Percent — Will AI help you work faster, or will it take your job?
Machines have become more affordable, faster and more efficient than humans. Improved technology has moved physical automation to the next level. And now artificial intelligence (AI) is here to help us think. Is it beneficial to mankind — or should we expect trouble in the future? #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — African youth migrating for better prospects
Japa is a word used in Nigeria for youth who are leaving the country to look for better opportunities abroad. But this term does not only apply to Nigerians but other African youth leaving to study or work abroad. This can be because of unemployment, high cost of living an little opportunities. But is leaving your country a better solution?

The 77 Percent — Zanzibar's recent ban on men plaiting their hair has sparked conversations
Zanzibar authorities have banned men from plaiting their hair. A fine of $400 or six months in prison awaits any man caught wearing the hairstyle on the island. Some youth see the move as repressive, while others say African culture need to be preserved. #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Why mental health matters to young Africans
The implementation of legislation in Zambia that was passed to ensure people's treatment for mental health conditions is still patchy five years down the line. In this week’s 77 Percent show, we head to Lusaka to find out why that's the case. And, we, look at the mental health crisis in Nigeria, where nearly 50 million people, some as young as 15, are in need of help. #77Percent # DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Should students be paid during internships?
For most young people, an internship is an introduction to the work space especially in their selected field of study. An internship can last between 3 to 12 months and depending on what industry you are in, you either get paid or not. What do you think? Should a student be paid during an internship?

The 77 Percent— Behind the filters: challenges influencers face
Do you trust the glamorous show of success some influencers always display on social media? One of the biggest challenges for influencers is striking a balance between maintaining authenticity and meeting the expectations of their audience and brand collaborations.

The 77 Percent —Phone Addiction
How many hours do you regularly spend on your phone? Do you consider yourself a phone addict? We spoke with young people in Malawi and The Gambia. #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Ghanaian activist swims across Volta River to raise awareness
Yvette Tetteh, Ghanaian-British entrepreneur, athlete and activist, is the first known person to swim across Ghana’s Volta River. She swam 450 kilometers in a combined total of 40 days. Yvette did this to raise awareness about the impact of waste colonialism on the ecosystems. On The 77 Percent radio show this week, we get to hear from Yvette and her experience.

The 77 Percent — Where can you find a good partner nightclub or a worship place?
Do you think there is a place where you cannot meet someone you must marry and spend the rest of your life with. #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — What is the best age for a man or woman to have their first child?
Teen pregnancy and childbirth are traditionally seen as female issues, and over the years, reproductive health discussions have largely focused on women. But where does this leave the men? A teen dad in Kenya shares his tribulations. In Ghana, over 100,000 teens got pregnant last year alone. #77Percent #DWAfrica

The 77 Percent — Meet Deirdre King, the businesswoman smashing glass ceilings from Disney to JacarandaFM
Deirdre King is a trailblazer in South Africa's male-dominated business world. From an early career in the film industry to top international brands to managing a radio powerhouse, King knows what it takes to reach the top — and stay there! She joins Nozibele Qamngana Mayaba for the customary snack as the pair talk leadership, and why South Africa would benefit from diverse leadership.

Why Afro House music is taking over clubs across the globe
Rooted in South Africa, this music genre grew out of a mix of various subcultures and musical styles, and you can't help but dance to the beat. We'll get to hear from a DJ in South Africa as well as some clubgoers in Germany, as we discuss the rise of Afro House music.