Great Expectations
Salama! Sawubona! Mambo vipi! to everyone basking under the African sun and remembering that warmth from everywhere around the world. We have reached that half mark of the year -also start of my personal countdown to Christmas! Yes, that is how great my expectations are for the rest of the year. Still, our world is surrounded by much grief and loss, and like many of you, I want to hold loved ones tighter and cherish the times that we have together amid the COVID19 pandemic. Our team sends our condolences to all who are grieving loved ones during this time.
Like many podcasters, I continue to produce, knowing that what news, views and perspectives we amplify through Africa’s new podcast space, each is a building block of our collective sound. My dreams frequently feature pod GIFs and once-in-a-lifetime guests. I want to learn how to edit better, figure out how sound plays with an audio story and gather with as many old and new friends as possible. I dream about this world often. I am excited for all the possibilities for African pods and their makers.
“Hold fast to dreams,
For if dreams die
Life is a broken-winged bird,
That cannot fly.”
― Langston Hughes
We at Africa Podfest believe that the dreams of African podcasters are valid. We want to hear from each other, grow together and curate better African podcasts. Together with many of your individual gifts of a cup of coffee, we can keep this work going. A cup of coffee starts from US $3 (via Ko-fi) and we run on this fuel. As you dream, so do we. As you look at the coming months, consider buying Africa Podfest a cuppa. Together with this Newsy newsletter, we produce Sema Nasi, where you can always find reliable takes on African podcasting. We also bring African podcasters together through curated gatherings like Africa Podcast Day, and do original research on African podcasting. You are a vital part of our story!
Thank you for merging our great expectations with yours. As you move into this opportunity-packed Newsy, let our collective dream grow! Note the various resources including several learning opportunities available at no cost to you in the Resources and Opportunities section to power your work too.
With gratitude,
Josephine ‘Jo’ Karianjahi, Co-Director, Africa Podfest
Locating Support via Apple Podcasts: South Africa’s POC Podcasts
As of June 15, Apple Podcasts Subscriptions launched worldwide. A global marketplace for premium podcast subscriptions, the service also allows listeners to access and financially support their preferred podcasts. This week, POC Podcasts - a South African podcast network, became the first to offer an all-African channel of their podcast productions. POC Podcasts’ founder Simmi Areff, whose comedy podcast Lesser Known Somebodies featured a live recording on 2021 Africa Podcast Day has long championed increasing representation of people of colour in podcasting. More than that, he continues to advocate for sustainable support for podcasters, saying of this new direction via Twitter: “ It’s a solid way for fans to support creators financially.” Well done POC Podcasts!
Let us know if you have joined the program and what your experience has been so far in the comments section below.
July 2021 African Podcaster Showcase
The July 2021 African Podcaster Showcase delivered even more gems, encounters and insights from African podcasters. Do not miss this series featuring 12 Podcasters from different African countries, which has been running for the past 8 weeks. We travelled to South Africa, Cameroon, Kenya and Burundi on our Instagram. Follow us on social media (@africapodfest on all platforms) to make sure you don’t miss the August edition of our showcase campaign!
Some of the showcase action on @africapodfest Instagram
Resources and Opportunities
Grants
Africa No Filter Convening Grant
Convening Grants support the facilitation of exchanges, conversations, dialogues and debates about narratives of Africa and how these narratives are built and sustained. They are open to organisations and individuals that organise forums, debates, panel discussions and dialogues with both African and diaspora speakers - including includes young people and subject matter experts - to generate insights on things that shape perceptions about Africa. Discussions should also challenge negative stereotypes about Africa. Amount: $5,000 – $15,000. Application here. Deadline: 27 August 2021
Events
AI Academy for Small Newsrooms: This FREE online programme offers a deep-dive into the potential of artificial intelligence to journalists and media professionals from small newsrooms. It is designed by the JournalismAI team at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) and powered by the Google News Initiative. The Academy is a 6-week online programme that starts in September 2021 and, in its first pilot edition, it is designed for 20 participants from small news organisations (fewer than 50 employees) in the EMEA region (Europe, Middle East and Africa). Application here. Deadline : August 1, 2021
Workshops by Hindenburg
Podcast Narratives Demystified :This free one-hour webinar will cover different aspects of podcast narratives. You do not want to miss learning about podcasting with single host, roundtable recording, doing phone interviews, recording a news segment and discovering features and drama. Access is by registration here. Date: August 3, 2021.
How to Create Immersive Audio: Ideally for intermediate to PRO level users, this 3-hour free webinar will delve deeper into creating immersive audio with virtual breakaways to solidify learnings. High audio quality is key to keeping listeners engaged! If you are ready to take the quality of your audio and production process to the next level. Access by registration here. Date: August 17, 2021
Masterclasses by BBC Sounds Audio Lab
Bringing Your Story to Life Through Sound - Learn how to bring your podcast to life through sound design, including soundscapes, sound effects and more. August 4 2021, Free via registration
Different Ways To Tell A Story - Learn how to build a story arch, how to find interesting contributors, what your duty of care for contributors and best practises for dealing with sensitive topics and doing these stories justice. August 11, 2021, Free via registration
Tech-ing Your Podcasts Remotely: Learn the best set ups for remote recording a host vs guest, how to collaborate remotely with your production team and, how to get the best quality audio from your contributors no matter where they are in the world- August 18, 2021, Free via registration
Breaking Stereotypes and Finding Your Voice - Learn how to build your confidence behind the mic, how to best engage with your audience online to grow your following and, how to make podcasts more accessible for more diverse audiences. Date: August 25, 2021, Free via registration
Partner with us
Africa Podfest inspires and elevates African podcasters to build a sustainable and inclusive podcasting industry across Africa. Our intention is to achieve this by simplifying podcast learning, placing a spotlight on African podcasters, and centring voices that have been in the margins. We welcome support from individuals and institutions. Email us to inquire about institutional partnership hello@africapodcastfestival.com
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