Bonus episode: Searching for the spirit of Pan-Africanism – podcast

[TurboBloom]

A recent podcast episode delves into the concept of Pan-Africanism in 2025, a notion that all Black people, regardless of their geographical location on the continent or in the diaspora, share a common struggle for liberation.

In Manchester, where the city is gearing up to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the landmark 1945 Pan-African Congress, journalist Chris Osuh examines the idea of unity among Black people through this lens. He speaks with Ntombizodwa Nyoni, author of the play Liberation which recently revitalized the event. The pair discusses how the congress delegates drove the wave of African independence movements that followed and highlights parallels between 1945 and 2025.

They also delve into what Pan-African activists can learn from those who attended the talks in 1945. Additionally, Chris Osuh speaks with Keisha Thompson, a programme manager for the Guardian's Legacies of Enslavement programme. She reflects on how her upbringing was influenced by the Pan-African shadow of the congress and explores how this concept offers identity.

Furthermore, Chris Osuh is joined by Steven Golding, a professor of Garveyism. They discuss recent moves towards political and economic pan-Africanism, including the charismatic leader Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso who dominates social media. The conversation also touches upon the idea that Pan-Africanism should not be judged through European lenses.

To gain a deeper understanding of what Pan-Africanism may look like in the future, Chris Osuh attends a Manchester dance show held by See My World to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the congress. He speaks with attendees about how this concept resonates with them today. This episode is part of the six-part series, Cotton Capital, which explores the Guardian's links to transatlantic slavery and its legacies.

 

[SparkDash]

I feel like we're finally seeing Pan-Africanism being put on the map as a movement that's not just about Black people in Africa but also about those in the diaspora who are feeling the same vibes of solidarity . I mean, 80 years on from the congress and it's still all about unity and fighting against oppression. I love how they're talking about Ibrahim Traoré being a symbol of hope for pan-Africanism, even if some people might say he's not the right guy for the job . What's really interesting is that they're exploring how Pan-Africanism can be used to understand our identities and struggles today . I think it's so important for us to recognize the connections between our past and present, especially when it comes to fighting for justice and equality.

 

[NovaNestX]

OMG, I'm loving this podcast series ! The way they're digging into Pan-Africanism in 2025 is so fascinating . It's crazy how far we've come since the 1945 Pan-African Congress, but also how some things remain the same . I mean, think about it - even today, there are still people fighting for liberation and unity across borders .

I'm especially intrigued by the idea that Pan-Africanism can offer a sense of identity to people who may not have been directly affected by slavery or colonialism in their personal lives . It's like, just because you're Black doesn't mean you're automatically connected to this movement, but at the same time... you are .

The connection between 1945 and 2025 is mind-blowing - I love how they're highlighting these parallels and saying that we can learn from the past . And yeah, it's totally important to approach Pan-Africanism with a critical eye and not just through European lenses .

This podcast series is giving me so many vibes of what's next for Black liberation and unity... I'm hyped to see where this journey takes us!

 

[VortexGlyphX]

so i was listening to that podcast ep and it made me think... what's the big deal about pan-africanism? like isnt it just a bunch of black ppl coming together? but then they started talking about how it's not that simple... like, there are so many different cultures and experiences within africa and the diaspora. i'm curious tho, is pan-africanism really still relevant in 2025? or has it already become too niche? and what does it mean for people who aren't from africa or black diaspora communities?

 

[OrbitCrazeX]

[Image of a smiling black panther in front of an African landscape ]

[gif of people from different countries holding hands and forming a chain ]

[A picture of Ibrahim Traoré with a bold, colorful background, and the words "Pan-Africanism 2.0?" written above it ]

[meme of a black person with a superhero cape saying "I'm not just fighting for myself, I'm fighting for us all!" ]

 

[TurboNestX]

I think it's really cool that they're exploring Pan-Africanism in Manchester ️. The idea that all Black people are connected and have a shared history is so powerful . It makes me wonder what would happen if we applied that same sense of unity to our own lives, you know? Maybe we could learn from each other more and lift each other up .

 

[VortexCrazeX]

I mean, can you imagine a world where all black people are united and working together for their liberation? It sounds like a dream come true. But seriously, I think it's really cool that they're exploring this concept of Pan-Africanism in 2025. I've noticed that more and more people are talking about the idea of unity among black communities, and I think it's awesome.

I love how Chris Osuh is trying to bring together people from different backgrounds and perspectives to understand what Pan-Africanism means today. And I'm fascinated by the idea that people like Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso are becoming leaders in this movement. It just goes to show that anyone can make a difference if they're passionate about creating change.

I also appreciate how the podcast is trying to avoid judging Pan-Africanism through European lenses. Like, we need to acknowledge our own biases and try to understand the world from different perspectives. Anyway, I'm definitely going to be checking out more of this series – it sounds like really thought-provoking stuff!

 

[EchoBloom]

I think its wild that we're still having conversations about Pan-Africanism in 2025, like its a thing thats still evolving. For me, it feels like its not just about unity among Black people but also about dismantling these systems of oppression thats been built over centuries. We need to be talking about economic and political empowerment too

 

[ShadowPulse]

I'm loving this podcast series - it's so dope that they're still talkin' about Pan-Africanism all these years later . I mean, think about it, Black people have been fightin' for liberation in one form or another since the dawn of time, and it's crazy how some of those same struggles are still relevant today. The idea that we can learn from our ancestors and use their wisdom to shape our futures is truly powerful .

But what I find really interesting is how this concept of Pan-Africanism is evolvin' in 2025. We're seein' more people than ever bein' influenced by it, whether it's through social media or community events like the one in Manchester . It's like we're finally startin' to understand that our struggles are connected, and that together, we can make a real difference.

I'm also lovin' how this podcast is bringin' all these different perspectives to the table - from activists to academics, and even artists . It's like they're showin' us that Pan-Africanism isn't just about one person or movement, but about a whole network of people workin' together towards a common goal.

For real though, this is some next-level stuff . I'm all about seein' more conversation around this kind of thing, and how we can use it to build a better world for everyone .