African Men Speak

In this twelfth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man in the diaspora reflects on masculinity through the lenses of leadership, emotional growth, family responsibility, and self-understanding. Raised in a female-dominated household without a father figure, he explains how masculinity for him became rooted in the ability to lead, provide, and protect — not only financially, but emotionally, physically, and spiritually. The conversation explores how marriage counselling challenged inherited ideas about masculinity, helping him become more aware of his emotions, communication, and relationships. He discusses tensions between traditional African expectations of men and more contemporary understandings of vulnerability, af...

In the eleventh episode of our Five Questions series, a South African woman reflects on masculinity through the lens of upbringing, balance, and changing social expectations. She traces her understanding back to a traditional household, where clearly defined roles often masked unequal realities, particularly for women managing both domestic and economic responsibilities. From this, she challenges the idea of “50/50,” arguing that true balance depends on how roles are lived, not how they are described.

Drawing on her experience of moving from the Vaal region to Johannesburg, she highlights the contrast between community-based traditions and the...

In this tenth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man reflects on masculinity through the lens of identity, cultural exposure, and lived experience. He defines masculinity as being comfortable with one’s role, principles, and responsibilities as a man, shaped over time through both personal upbringing and observations across different African contexts. Drawing on experiences in countries such as Botswana and Zambia, he challenges assumptions about traditional male roles, particularly around work, responsibility, and social behaviour.

The conversation explores how masculinity is evolving, with particular attention to the perceived tension between traditional ex...

In this ninth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man reflects on masculinity through the lens of responsibility, leadership, and lived experience. He traces his understanding back to his father, particularly a moment of financial transition that revealed the weight of long-term thinking and transparency within the family. From there, the conversation expands into how masculinity is shaped not just within the household, but across communities and generations. The Kenyan man discusses tensions between traditional and contemporary expectations, shifting approaches to discipline, and the growing pressures facing African men today—from economic strain to social expectations. Grounded in...

In this episode of African Men Speak, we explore the historical foundations of African masculinities through a Namibian lens, focusing on the Damara and Nama communities. 

Drawing on research into gender-based violence and queer femininity, this conversation examines how pre-colonial societies organised gender roles in ways that were often fluid, functional, and context-driven — rather than rigid or binary. We then trace how colonial rule, particularly under German and South African administrations, reshaped these systems. Victorian gender norms, Christianity, and colonial law introduced more fixed ideas of masculinity and femininity, criminalised same-sex relationships, and reinforced hetero-patriarchal structures that con...

In the eighth episode of our Five Questions series, a female voice working across humanitarian contexts reflects on masculinity as something that must evolve beyond control, silence, and rigid gender roles. She challenges traditional expectations that limit men's emotional expression, arguing instead for vulnerability, self-awareness, and shared responsibility in relationships and family life. Drawing on both personal experience and observation, she highlights the growing need for mental health support and safe spaces where men can speak openly. Her reflections push toward a redefinition of strength—one grounded not in dominance, but in emotional intelligence, inclusion, and the courage to be...

In the seventh episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man in the diaspora reflects on how his understanding of masculinity has shifted from rigid, traditional expectations shaped in childhood to a more balanced approach that includes openness, vulnerability, and emotional awareness. Drawing from his Luo background, he discusses how cultural norms are evolving across generations, influenced by modern life and global exposure. He emphasizes the importance of dialogue among men, the need to challenge inherited ideas, and the value of support systems—reminding listeners that while expectations remain high, navigating life as a man should not be do...

In this episode of exploring African masculinity, we ask a fundamental question: how do we think about it? 

This episode introduces key ideas and frameworks that shape how masculinity is understood — from hegemonic masculinity to plural masculinities — and why these tools matter when navigating conversations about identity, culture, and change. 

Rather than offering answers, this episode focuses on building a way of thinking — one that helps us question assumptions, recognise patterns, and better understand the forces shaping masculinity across African contexts. 

Key themes: 

Recorded in August 2025, this episode features a long-form conversation with Onyango Otieno (Rixpoet) — trauma coach, writer, poet, mental health advocate, and host of the Afro-Masculinity Podcast.

We discuss Onyango’s personal journey through childhood violence, depression, and sexual abuse, and how those experiences shaped his work with men and his thinking on masculinity. The conversation explores silence, intergenerational trauma, patriarchy, feminism, and the difficulty many African men face in finding spaces where vulnerability is possible.

This is an open, reflective conversation that moves between personal experience and wider social ques...

One year into African Men Speak, this is me reflecting on the journey so far. I look back on how I approached the work, what I actually did, what changed for me, and why the project is moving more slowly — and more deliberately — than I first imagined. 

In this monologue: 

African Men Speak is a long-form project exploring African masculinities through conversations, short s...

In this episode, we talk about Greg's personal journey across multiple countries, highlighting his morning routine, career growth, and family life. They explore topics such as adapting to new environments, multicultural parenting, marriage responsibilities, and the importance of communication and perspective-taking in relationships. We also discuss negotiation, friendship dynamics, and redefining legacy through success and happiness.

In the sixth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man shares his views on masculinity, shaped by both traditional roles and modern realities. He reflects on the pressures African men face today — from navigating relationships with increasingly independent women to reconciling personal values with societal change. The man argues that while mentorship and education are essential tools for young men, maintaining strength and masculine clarity in relationships is equally important. His reflections, both personal and pointed, raise uncomfortable but necessary questions about how gender roles evolve — and who gets to define them.

In the fifth episode of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan woman reflects on shifting perceptions of masculinity within her community. She challenges the long-standing expectation that men must always appear strong and emotionless, instead advocating for a more human, supportive approach. By encouraging men to take time for themselves, seek help, and express vulnerability, her perspective adds to a growing call for a redefinition of masculinity that values emotional openness alongside responsibility.

In the fourth Five Questions conversation, a Zimbabwean woman reflects on traditional gender roles, racial identity, and the struggles of the coloured community in Southern Africa. She speaks about the breakdown of masculinity since the 1990s from her perspective, the challenges men face in expressing vulnerability, and how silence often leads to unhealthy coping. From the importance of mentorship and extended family guidance to the need for platforms where men can openly share, she emphasises that masculinity is ultimately a personal journey rooted in moral foundations.

In the third instalment of our Five Questions series, a self-described soft-spoken Senegalese man who is not prone to aggression shares his perspectives on the dichotomy of growing up on two continents, where he has experienced different cultures and, by extension, different types and views of masculinity. He sees each generation has to go through this discourse by pushing the boundaries of what is normal (traditional), and it all depends on who is pushing the envelope. 

In the second of our Five Questions series, a Ugandan Man working in the diaspora speaks about how he sees contemporary views of masculinity, and how they differ with traditional views and also on the lessons he wishes to pass onto his sons despite them being halfway across the world. 

In the first of our Five Questions series, a Kenyan man reflects on how parenting, masculinity, and responsibility have shifted across generations. He contrasts his upbringing with the challenges of raising children today, highlighting how community bonds have weakened and consumer culture influences modern priorities. From the pressures of being a firstborn son to questioning what it means to be a man, this conversation explores how personal reflection and honest dialogue can help men navigate identity, change, and care.

In this episode, I share why I started this podcast and my personal connection to exploring African masculinity. Growing up in Nairobi, hearing the phrase “boys don’t cry/ man up/ be a man,” and facing a personal crisis that reshaped my priorities, this episode sets the stage for the conversations ahead. I outline the journey we’ll take in Season 1, introducing the key themes, questions, and perspectives that will guide our exploration of manhood in African contexts.

In this inaugural episode, I share why I started this podcast about African masculinity. It began with a moment of reflection while travelling for work, questioning why I felt compelled to leave my family in Kenya to earn a living, and eventually leaving that role to start a family with my partner as the primary breadwinner. This led me down a research path exploring what it means to be an African man in today's world. I explain why I chose podcasting as the medium, my hopes for the journey ahead, and the reactions I've received from family and friends...