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54Lights is committed to elevating creatives of colour. We showcase Africa to the world, by lighting up great guests with roots in the 54 countries of the continent. We’re telling these under told stories from Africa to all corners of the globe. And because each guest has a unique and flavour-filled tale to tell, we will tell these stories with care. So that they can shape and reshape and reframe the narrative, one story at a time. Humbly hosted by Kondwani Mwase
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I believe in love, I believe in young married couples. Let's celebrate love and kill the negative narratives around marriage.I share some insight into navigating the journey into adulthood, dealing with issues that will allow you to heal and discover your true purpose. I have a good mix of panel discussions and poetry.
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[16.54.. SOMALIA] Life and Light...Captivatingly Captured with Faisa Omer
48:12
48:12
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Embark on a journey through the lens of Faisa Omar, a Somali Canadian photographer and mental health professional, as she shares her compelling story and insights. From her childhood dreams of teaching to her discovery of photography as an art form, Faisa's narrative unfolds with depth and resonance. As she delve…
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[15.54.. BENIN] Art Beyond the Strokes with Andy Akangah
33:35
33:35
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33:35
WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Let’s go to West Africa! 54Lights takes you to the brilliant country of Benin through a conversation with self-taught illustrator from the wonderful nation. The Beninese artists, and CEO of AKARTS (a hip-hop inspired streetwear line) Andy Akangah joined us in studio to talk about his work, inspiration and process…
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[14.54..SENEGAL] Leading Every Day with Yabome Gilpin-Jackson
1:05:59
1:05:59
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Your host, Kondwani Mwase, talks to the accomplished Dr. Yabome Gilpin-Jackson to discuss her inspiring journey from Sierra Leone to Canada, and her impactful work in equity, diversity, and inclusion. Yabome shares profound insights on navigating complex systems, finding home in community, and the importance of e…
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[13.54..BOSTWANA] The Power of Storytelling with Sarah Owusu
44:11
44:11
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Embark on a journey through the vibrant landscapes of African leadership with Sarah Owusu, an Organization Development specialist renowned for her expertise in culture, employee engagement, and change navigation. Rooted in her Danish-Ghanaian and Botswana heritage, Sarah embodies the spirit of a planetary citizen…
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[BONUS] Make it Malawi with Joy Mwandemange
39:21
39:21
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Kondwani is joined by Malawian-Canadian artist Joy Mwandemange to share her inspiring journey. From her childhood immersed in the arts to navigating a multifaceted career spanning acting, music, and more, Joy shares powerful insights on following your passions, quieting doubts, and paving your own path to success…
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[BONUS. NIGERIA..] From Risk-free to Risk-filled with Ikenna Onyegbula
51:28
51:28
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY We got a BONUS episode for you today! 54Lights takes you to the incredible nation of Nigeria (again!) with rich conversation and inspirational thoughts. Join host Kondwani Mwase and he sits down with Ikenna Onyegbula, a Canadian poet with Nigerian Heritage and a global poetry slam champion. Ikenna joins us at The…
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[12.54..GHANA] In Living Colour with Kofi Frempong
33:16
33:16
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Kondwani Mwase sits down with Ghanaian-Canadian artist Kofi Frimpong for a vibrant discussion about his artistic journey, creative process, and the power of community. Kofi shares insights into how his colourful paintings connect with people, especially those in the African diaspora. Join them as they explore the…
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[Bonus] Keep it 100.. Celebrating the Centennial
32:59
32:59
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32:59
WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY In this episode, we relive some great experiences from our first 99 episodes...calling out the many highs from seasons and journey's past. Most poignantly, host Kondwani Mwase pays homage to the audience and artists (creatives) who have made our firat 100 episodes remarkably special. each wildly wonderful in thei…
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[11.54..NIGERIA] From Medical School to Mainstream Retail with Lola Adeyemi
32:54
32:54
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Kondwani interviews entrepreneur Lola Adeyemi, founder of It's Souper, an Afrofusion gourmet meal company selling flavourful soups, sauces and spices. Hear Lola's inspiring story of leaving medical school in Nigeria to follow her creative passions, moving to Canada, building a career in tech, then creating her fo…
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[10.54..ESWATINI] Giving Back By Design with Khulekani Msweli
24:07
24:07
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY In this episode, Kondwani interviews Khulekani Msweli, a fashion designer, artist, entrepreneur and activist from Eswatini. Khulekani discusses returning to Eswatini after studying abroad to give back to his community through art and community development projects. He shares how art can speak truth to power and r…
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[9.54..NAMIBIA] From Namibia to the Junos: Garth Prince on Identity and Sound
48:44
48:44
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Kondwani interviews Juno award-winning artist Garth Prince, who shares his journey from Namibia to building a music community in Canada. With infectious rhythms and cross-cultural sounds, Garth describes how creating music became his pathway to preserve his African roots. Listen as Garth unpacks his evolution fro…
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54Bites: The Best in Class with Navi Kahlon
17:46
17:46
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY In this quick episode of 54Bites we are joined in virtual studio by our newest intern Navi Kahlon. Navi, who has roots in Tanzania, joins us from the journalism program at Toronto Metropolitan University. As our Brand Partnerships intern, Navi is leading the charge with great strategic relationships we're craftin…
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[8.54..MAURITIUS] Passion Triggers Art with Pascal Lagesse
34:03
34:03
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY 54Lights touches down in the beautiful nation of Mauritius for this light-hearted and light-filled conversation with Pascal Lagesse. Pascal joined us virtually from his homeland where he has been working as a visual arts professional for over two decades. A prolific painter who’s refined his skills and signature …
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[7.54..MALI] From Mali to the Microphone with Daouda Doumbia
28:22
28:22
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28:22
WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Kondwani interviews emerging radio personality Daouda in this fun and insightful episode. Originally from Mali, Daouda shares stories from his journey studying communications in Canada and gaining experience in university radio. Daouda talks to Kondwani about his travels, Ottawa's surprisingly vibrant local music…
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[6.54..KENYA] - At the Intersection of Seat and Stage with Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu
29:54
29:54
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY In this episode, host Kondwani Mwase is joined by Kenyan/Ugandan creator and director Mumbi Tindyebwa Otu. Mumbi joined us in, virtual studio, from Toronto where she now lives after time in Victoria, BC. During the course of this short, yet infinitely sweet, conversation, Mumbi shared insights about her journey a…
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[5.54..TANZANIA] Educating and Supporting Tanzanian Women
24:06
24:06
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Diana Gasper has made her life in North Carolina after meeting her American husband in Canada, yet she will always have the most love and longing for her home of Tanzania. Diana is a businesswoman, entrepreneur and philanthropist who helps women and girls in Tanzania to create their own businesses and sources of …
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[Bonus.ETHIOPIA..] Sustainability, Community and Change in Africa with Yodit Seyoum
34:00
34:00
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34:00
WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Yodit Seyoum is an interior designer from Ethiopia. She joins our host Kondwani to talk about her journey to becoming involved in sustainable and community-focused design and environmental advocacy. They discuss the importance of sustainability in the world and how this can be reflected in their home continent of…
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[4.54..ETHIOPIA] The Java Jaunt: Journeys from Ethiopia to the World with Muna Mohammed
34:19
34:19
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY 54Lights is committed to illuminating the African experience...one story (bean) at a time. In the latest episode of 54 Lights, Kondwani converses with Muna Mohammed, the innovative CEO behind Eight50 Coffee. Muna's deep-rooted connection to coffee cultivation, passed down through generations of her family, led he…
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Revisiting the First and Fabulous Four Episodes
23:05
23:05
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Host Kondwani Mwase is joined in virtual studio by guest-host and social media manager Ariana Busato for a behind the scenes look/listen on episodes past. Ariana, who helps with the podcasts socials and guest outreach, turned the tables on our host and asked him a series of questions about the first four episodes…
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[3.54..ZAMBIA] Escaping the Colonial Mindset with Aaron Samuel Mulenga
43:37
43:37
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Join Kondwani as he interviews Aaron Samuel Mulenga, an artist, (soon to be) professor and an expert on Afro-futurism. The conversation, broadly speaking, touched on the impact of colonialism on African art and culture. Together they question the roots and influences of the colonial mindset, discuss whose history…
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54Bites: Finding Safety in Spaces with Chawa Mphande
15:23
15:23
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY She's Baaaaack!!!! Chawanangwa Mphande returned to 54Lights to share her reflections on our previous pods. In her first conversation, we discussed her childhood friend and leading cultural artist Qabaniso Malewezi. In this instalment, Chawa (as she's affectionately known) spoke about her impressions of Zimbabwean…
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[Bonus.Zimbabwe..] Rewriting the Meaning of Africanism with Shelton Mpala
26:54
26:54
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY In this episode of 54Lights modern-day Pan-Africanist Shelton Mpala speaks about his passion and the unique time we live in. The two unpack an African revival, of sorts, that is sweeping through the globe. Shelton was born and raised in Zimbabwe and describes himself as ‘just an African child’ who was lucky enoug…
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[2.54.. ZIMBABWE] On Being One of a Kind with Farai Madzima
28:48
28:48
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What to expect when you press PLAY Farai Madzima is a man of and for the people. He is a leader, teacher and speaker who's passionate about managing people humanely and authentically, regardless of who they are. He celebrates diversity in all areas of life, including in business. He speaks about how we (as managers, leaders and people) must focus o…
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From Passion to Profession with Chawa Mphande
24:11
24:11
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24:11
WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY Chawanangwa Mphande, affectionately known as Chawa, joined us in studio to talk about our last episode with Qabaniso Malewezi (Q). As is the case for these special broadcasts of 54"Bites", Kondwani and hiss guest reflect on episodes past and project on the episodes yet to come. Chawa gave her perspective on how a…
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[1.54.. MALAWI] When Culture Comes Calling with Qabaniso Malewezi
23:19
23:19
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WHAT TO EXPECT...WHEN YOU PUSH PLAY In the official kick-off to the fourth season, the continental journey, that lives through this project, takes flight in the warm heart of Africa. Episode 1.54 (When Culture Comes Calling with Qabaniso Malewezi) brings listeners to Malawi, the native homeland of host Kondwani Mwase, and the starting line for this…
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