The Nnete Fela Show

Russia-SA History, African Narratives, and Energy Independence

We explore shared Russia-SA history through the Anglo-Boer War, discuss African publishing sovereignty with Wits University's Dr Cassells, and examine how US-Iran tensions in the Strait of Hormuz are driving Africa's energy independence with SA parliamentarian Andile Mngxitama in this episode.
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We dive deep into the forces shaping Africa's past, present, and future on the global stage. From the historical battlefields of the Second Anglo-Boer War to the fight for intellectual property and the shifting tides of the global energy market.
Archpriest Daniel Lugovoi, Rector of the Russian Orthodox Church of St. Sergius of Radonezh in Johannesburg, joins the show to reflect on the role of the Orthodox Church in preserving Russian culture in South Africa. He also discusses the importance of honoring the volunteers who fought alongside Boers over 100 years ago.
“It's very important to pay our attention to history, because without proper knowing of history, it could not be our good and proper future […] it is very interesting to recognize and to find out all traces of Russian people here in South Africa,” Lugovoi said.
We also discuss the state of Africa’s publishing industry in a conversation with Dr. Laetitia Cassells who heads the department of publishing studies at the University of the Witwatersrand. She notes that there is a growing focus on African narratives.

“I feel as if there's a growing international recognition of the significance of African narratives, and there's this growing focus on ownership and authorship of copyright and narratives and more representation. And publishers facilitate that. So, the growth of the publishing industry will only happen as a result of all of these other areas of growth, which are growing,” opines Dr. Cassells.

Finally, South African Member of Parliament Andile Mngxitama comments on the need for African countries to secure the sovereignty of the energy supply by harnessing the abundant natural resources on the continent.
“It's time to start massive refineries that must refine our raw minerals to make sure that the pumps are fuelled by the resources directly from Africa. We cannot be sending crude oil outside of Africa, and then it's returned as refined gas and petrol. We have to do it here,” Mngxitama argues.
Tune in for these thought-provoking conversations and join the discussion on how Africa is shaping its future on the global stage.
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