Podcasts

Welcome to BaobabX Podcast Series

In these podcasts, we will embark on an enlightening journey through the rich tapestry of African knowledge systems and the cutting-edge world of the digital humanities. We will explore the confluence of traditional African epistemologies and modern technological advancements, showcasing how digital tools can preserve, enhance, and propagate African heritage and wisdom. We’ll delve into stories of innovation, resilience, and creativity from across the continent and globe, highlighting the voices of scholars, technologists, and cultural custodians at the forefront of this transformation. An initiative of the Advancing African Digital Humanities Ideation Hub (AADHiH) in the College of Human Sciences at the Univeristy of South Africa (UNISA).

Episode 01: African Knowledge and 21st Century Skills (Curriculum Revolution) – Prof. ZT Motsa Madikane (Vice-Principal Teaching, Learning, Community Engagement and Student Support - UNISA)

In this engaging episode of The Ubuntu Nexus Podcast Series, Prof. Motsa Madikane explores the transformative power of African knowledge and 21st-century skills in reshaping higher education curricula. She focuses on the impact of the #FeesMustFall Movement on the decolonisation discourse in South Africa, critical dimensions of decolonising the curriculum, overcoming challenges in bridging epistemic divides in the 21st century, rethinking the knowledge produced in higher education institutions, and strategies for the Global South to resist the dominance of Western ideologies. Join us for a thought-provoking conversation on how African institutions can revolutionise learning to foster indigenous knowledge and modern skills for the future! Link: https://bit.ly/3BsCre C

Episode 02: Rethinking Africa in the Wake of a Technology Revolution – Dr. Martin Dougiamas:

Rethinking Africa in the Wake of a Technology Revolution features a thought-provoking discussion with Dr. Martin Dougiamas, Founder of Moodle and Head of Research at the Moodle Research Lab, as he delves into the profound impact of emerging technologies on the African continent. From reshaping social, economic, and political landscapes to redefining higher education, this podcast invites listeners to engage with the transformations sweeping Africa critically. Dr Dougiamas highlights how digital innovations influence the African digital humanities and the future of learning. This episode is produced in collaboration with Moodle Moot Africa and the Portfolio of Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) at the University of South Africa (UNISA). Link: https://bit.ly/3zGuGRJ

Episode 03: Holy Algorithms: Studying Religion in the Age of Machines and Digitalisation

What happens to religion when algorithms shape belief, community, and authority? Join the BaobabX Podcast, an initiative of the Advancing African Digital Humanities Ideation Hub (AADHIH), for a compelling conversation exploring how religion is being transformed in a world shaped by AI, digital platforms, and emerging technologies. This episode brings leading scholars into dialogue at the intersection of Religious Studies and African Digital Humanities, examining how machines and digitalisation are reshaping: religious identities and rituals, knowledge production and authority, the sacred and the profane, surveillance, power, and representation in digital spaces. More than a discussion about technology, Holy Algorithms asks critical questions about society, meaning making, and the future of belief in an algorithmic age. Link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Y8KJjp1f6XEkfHrkB1OFV?si=LPXDcRoZSdK7JRo9jl2jpA