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Send us a text In this episode Keitu Malatsi from the University of British Columbia in Canada comes to tell us of her experiences as an African student in a Canadian setting. We discuss on the mechanics of tokenism, the curium as well as tips for scholars navigating being a minority, so do tune in for a fun ride. Music: Ifeanyichukwo Ezinmadu and Fraser MacDonald Editing: Henry Anumudu

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Send us a text In an interesting discussion with by Njoki Mburu a Kenyan alumni from the University of British Columbia we unpack the role of people and nature. We are leaving in the anthropocene and the reality of climate change. Topics such as the indigenous Canadian community, work in Kenya and the philosophical question of whether we are a part of nature are

Send us a text The third season of the Ekasi Season is kicking off. We will be speaking about our world today and some of the challenges that we are facing. Hosted by Julian Mashingaidze tune in for a myriad of Mastercard Scholar stories on how we plan to deal with issues such as mental health, climate change, social justice and so much. So stay posted in tune in!

Send us a text Perspective shifting as a tool for social progress is what underpins Tumi and Tanatsei’s huge body of work both within and beyond their university life. Nigerian-born Oluwatumilara (Tumi) Akeke is a Mastercard Foundation scholar at the University of Edinburgh focusing on Biomedical studies. She has founded two non-profit organizations – Oncoreality which seeks to inspire conversations that would not only raise awareness about cancer but also protects the mental heal...

Send us a text What does the fight for equality and the push for women empowerment look like in the African context? Tune in to this episode to listen to our hosts engage Irene Kinyanguli and Moneera Yassien on this pertinent topic among many other issues including their personal inspiration figures, the challenges faced in their quest for women empowerment and nuggets of wisdom obtained from their leadership journey. Having recently graduated from the University of Ar...

Send us a text Hammed Kayode and Lawrence Adjei – Giving back to the Community Once one learns how to read and write, then they have all the fundamental prerequisites for success - Hammed Kayode Hammed Kayode (Nigeria) and Lawrence Adjei (Ghana) are passionate educators keen to change the education space not just in the western region of Africa but across the continent. Kayode, a postgraduate Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Edinburgh is t...

Send us a text In this episode, our hosts engage Elyse Uwimpaye and Racheal Lawrence in an intimate conversation about their journey towards self-improvement while pursuing the goal of being agents of positive change in their communities. Elyse, originally from Rwanda, is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the University of Edinburgh in his final year of Electronics and Electrical Engineering. Additionally, he is a published author of a motivational book titled ‘Soaring above Lif...

Send us a text The mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled - Plutarch Benita Gaju Rutagarama, an adjudicator and contributing trainer/coach at IDebate Rwanda did not realize her passion for debate until when her then mentor suggested to her that she should give it a try. Successfully suppressing her initial resistance to the idea and overcoming the deep-seated fear of speaking in front of large groups of people, she went in on it and the rest was history. ...

Send us a text Man’s search for meaning is more pressing an issue particularly when the winds of life cast him into the darkest moment(s) of his existence. Such was the case with Mostafa Olwan when he fled Syria for Lebanon with nothing but his family. Thrust into a new environment (with difference in language and culture) and with the baggage from the Syrian civil war that was accompanied by loss of friends and other important connections, Mostafa was keen to not just make sense of h...

Send us a text Shufaa Hame, a Tanzanian Mastercard Foundation Scholar at the American University of Beirut is keen to transform the education landscape in her country of origin through her two non-profit ventures – MSINGI-ELIMU and KITUO-SHULE. Growing up in a single-parent household, Shufaa saw her mother continuously struggle to avail the necessary education opportunities for her. Now in a position of relative privilege and having been greatly influenced by the women who were a const...

Send us a text Armed with three certified academic degrees – an undergraduate in accounting and two postgraduates in supply chain management and digital global education, Ghanaian Godsway Dorlah is keen to use technology in not just disrupting Africa’s perspective on agriculture but also revolutionizing the continent’s agrarian practices. Tune in to listen to Dorlah speak to our hosts about blockchain, leapfrogging, innovation in the agricultural field, the formation of his ground-brea...

Send us a text “Everything you want is on the other side of fear.” This simple truism is the mantra that has guided most of the choices that Nour Al Halabi has made in her journey of sustainable and impactful leadership Currently pursuing an MSc in Anthropology at the American University of Beirut under the Mastercard Foundation Scholarship, Nour strongly believes in the power of storytelling as a gateway for effecting change in the local Lebanese communities. Tune i...

Send us a text Meet our hosts Geofrey Njovu and Julian Mashingaidze as they introduce Community Heroes - the second season of the Ekasi Podcast. After a successful debut season, Edinburgh Firsts, the podcast is back bigger and better! It features a more diverse range of guests and conversations. Our hosts sat down with incredible young people to understand what is at the core of their motivation. We have guests from Edinburgh University, Arizona State University, Science Po and t...

Send us a text Welcome to a special episode of Ekasi Podcast. This is a bonus episode in recognition of Black History Month . The conversation features Ayanda Ngobeni, Brindley Fortuin and Dr Pumla Madikizela who explore issues of micro-aggressions against people of colour in modern day society and how that relates to the past. They delve into a deep analysis of the aggressions that happened during the gruesome times of apartheid South Africa along with the scars left on both the victim...

Send us a text Welcome to the eighth episode of Ekasi’s debut season. In this episode, our hosts – Julian and Geofrey engage in a profound conversation with two guests – Daniel and Omar. At present, Daniel Mutia is an Electronics and Electrical Engineer in his final undergraduate year at the University of Edinburgh. Omar Kanyi, on the other hand, double majors in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at the same university. Daniel is from Kenya while Omar is from The Gambia. Both of them are ...

Send us a text Thank you for tuning in. This week on episode 7 of Ekasi’s debut season is a lively discussion between three students; our hosts, Julian Mashingaidze and Geofrey Njovu along with our guest Cosmo Mwamwembe, who is a Chemical Engineering student, and an Edinburgh University lecturer in the Energy, Environment and Society Department, Dr Kirsten Jenkins. They discuss their first time being assessed academically at university and the surprises that came with, and the methods of lear...

Send us a text Welcome to the sixth episode of Ekasi’s debut season. In this episode, our hosts – Julian and Geofrey sit down and chat with Vivianne Goetz and Quincy Namonje. Vivianne, who is from Switzerland, is an Agricultural Science major. Quincy, from Zambia, is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar studying Economics with Finance at the University of Edinburgh. In this deep yet lively conversation, our guests reminisce upon their arrival at the University of Edinburgh. They not only take us b...