Bonus episode: Searching for the spirit of Pan-Africanism – podcast

The 80th anniversary of the Pan-African Congress is being celebrated in Manchester, a pivotal event that brought together Black people from across the globe to fight for liberation. Journalist Chris Osuh explores this milestone and delves into its enduring significance.

Chris's conversation with playwright Ntombizodwa Nyoni sheds light on how delegates at the 1945 congress laid the groundwork for the African independence movements that followed. The parallels between then and now are striking, particularly when it comes to the struggles faced by Black people both on the continent and in the diaspora.

In another conversation with programme manager Keisha Thompson of the Guardian's Legacies of Enslavement programme, Chris delves into the power of identity and how Pan-Africanism can serve as a framework for self-discovery. They also discuss the importance of navigating the diverse visions of Pan-Africanism that exist today.

Professor Steven Golding provides valuable insights on recent developments towards political and economic pan-Africanism, citing the charismatic leader Ibrahim Traoré, who has been making waves on social media in Burkina Faso.

The episode culminates with Chris attending a dance show at Manchester's Royal Exchange theatre, where attendees share their perspectives on what Pan-Africanism means to them today. As part of The Cotton Capital project, which explores the Guardian's history and its connections to transatlantic slavery, this bonus episode offers a nuanced exploration of Pan-Africanism in 2025.

From Manchester to Jamaica, the US, Nigeria, and Brazil, the journey takes listeners on a global tour of the complex issues surrounding Pan-Africanism. To access the series, simply search for The Cotton Capital where you subscribe to your podcasts.

gotta say i'm really intrigued by this whole pan-african thing. i mean, 80 years ago these ppl were fightin for their freedom and now it's like a global movement . but what gets me is how it all ties in with the struggles we face today too. idk about some ppl sayin identity is key but i think its way more than that. its about recognizing our shared humanity , despite all the differences we got. and them charasmatic leaders like ibrahim traore? he's a breath of fresh air . anyway gotta give it up for the cotton capital project

I just listened to this podcast about the 80th anniversary of the Pan-African Congress in Manchester and I gotta say, it's really well done! But what I think is missing a bit is some visual flair – like, have you seen how they formatted the episode? It's all over the place . I mean, I know it's a podcast, but still... some consistent layout would take this to the next level . And can we talk about the iconography for a sec? That little image of the Pan-African flag is cool and all, but where's the style? Where's the pizzazz?

I just listened to this podcast about the 80th anniversary of the Pan-African Congress and I gotta say, it made me think a lot about our global community today . It's crazy how some things don't change, like Black people still facing struggles in many parts of the world. But at the same time, it's awesome to see all these different perspectives on what Pan-Africanism means to people now . I was surprised by how much I learned from the conversations, especially with Ntombizodwa Nyoni . It made me realize that our ancestors' fight for freedom and self-discovery is still relevant today . Anyways, just thought I'd chime in after everyone's already finished their thoughts .

I'm loving this podcast about the 80th anniversary of the Pan-African Congress . It's so important that we're keeping the legacy of the congress alive and discussing its relevance today. I mean, it's crazy how far we've come since 1945, but also how much work is still to be done . The parallels between then and now are undeniable - the struggles, the triumphs, the ongoing fight for justice and equality... it's all still so eerily familiar .

I'm intrigued by the different visions of Pan-Africanism that exist today . It's great that the podcast is exploring those nuances and how they can serve as a framework for self-discovery. And I love that they're featuring everyday people sharing their perspectives on what Pan-Africanism means to them - it's so powerful to hear from the community itself .

But, gotta say, I wish there was more focus on the economic aspects of pan-Africanism . It's all well and good talking about identity and politics, but how are we going to achieve real change if we're not discussing the economic systems that perpetuate inequality? Still, overall, this podcast is a great start, and I'm excited to see where it goes from here !

Come on, folks! You think 80 years have passed since that historic event and we've just started talking about it now? Get with the times! Pan-Africanism is still super relevant today. I mean, sure, there are different visions of it out there, but that's what makes it so great – it's not a one-size-fits-all solution. And let's be real, if we're gonna talk about it now, we need to be talking about the struggles Black people face in 2025, like systemic racism and police brutality. We can't just stop at the past, even though it's important to learn from history.

And what's up with Ibrahim Traoré being a "charismatic leader" just because he's on social media? Give me a break! Leadership is about more than just having a good Instagram game. It's about doing the work and actually making a difference in people's lives. So, let's not get too caught up in the hype and remember what's really important.

And hey, if you want to learn more about Pan-Africanism, I say check out The Cotton Capital project – it's all over podcast platforms, duh! Just don't come crying to me when you realize how much more complex the issue is than you thought.

man this Pan-african congress thing sounds so cool I mean its been 80 years since they had that big gathering in manchester and it really changed things for black ppl around the world.. i feel like its crazy how similar the struggles are even today... people still fighting for equality and freedom everywhere. and its dope that they got ppl from all over sharing their perspectives on pan-africanism now

just listened to this episode about the 80th anniversary of the Pan African Congress in Manchester it's wild to think how far we've come and yet still have so many struggles with identity and representation... i mean i was listening and thinking 'but what about all the black people who arent from africa or living in the diaspora?' and then realized its not just about africa but about the global black experience

I'm all for celebrating this milestone anniversary, no doubt about it! 80 years is a long time, and it's crazy to think about how far Black people have come (and still are coming) in their fight for liberation. But at the same time, I gotta say, some of these parallels between then and now feel a bit forced, you know? Like, we can't just ignore the progress that's been made, but we also can't pretend like everything is all sunshine and rainbows.

Man, I'm still trying to wrap my head around how much has changed yet how much remains the same . Thinkin' about this 80th anniversary of the Pan-African Congress and how it paved the way for all these movements across Africa and the diaspora... it's crazy how we're still dealin' with the same systemic issues, just dressed up in new clothes . And what's really interesting to me is how identity fits into all this – I mean, we're talkin' about Pan-Africanism as a framework for self-discovery, but isn't that kinda like searchin' for yourself within these broader social and cultural constructs? It's like, we're tryin' to find our own truth while bein' shaped by the world around us . And then you got this whole conversation about different visions of Pan-Africanism... it's like, is there one 'right' way to do this? Can't we just be messin' around and see what works for us individually?

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that we're 80 years deep into this whole Pan-African thing and it's still relevant?! It's crazy to think about how far Black people have come since '45, but at the same time, it feels like so much work is still being done. Like, we've got these amazing young leaders popping up everywhere - Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso? That dude's a total game-changer . But what really gets me is how identity plays into all of this. I mean, I love that we're having these conversations about Pan-Africanism and how it can be a framework for self-discovery... but at the same time, it feels like there's so much more work to do when it comes to actually making those connections between people across the globe .

I was thinking about this 80th anniversary thing and how some people say it's all about Black liberation but what about Indigenous folks? Like, we can't just erase their struggles too Don't get me wrong, Pan-Africanism is important but we need to consider the intersections with other identities too. I mean, have you seen the responses on social media from some African nations saying they don't want no part of Pan-Africanism? It's like, what even is that about

Man, I'm loving this episode of The Cotton Capital podcast ! I was born in 1995 so I didn't experience the Pan-African Congress firsthand, but it's amazing to see how that event back in 1945 still resonates with people today . The parallels between then and now are indeed striking - from the struggles of Black people on the continent to the experiences of those in the diaspora like me .

I'm also loving how they're exploring different visions of Pan-Africanism, it's like they're trying to solve this puzzle with all these different pieces . And that dance show at the Royal Exchange theatre? Genius idea! I wish I could've been there, would've loved to see people from all over sharing their perspectives on what Pan-Africanism means to them now .

It's crazy how something that happened 80 years ago can still be so relevant today . But hey, that's the beauty of history, right? It keeps us grounded and reminds us of where we come from .

omg u wont bliev how much i luv dis podcast! its so cool how dey r exploring pan afrikanism & identity thru dis series ️ i mean, dey r talking bout 2 centuries ago when black ppl from diff parts of africa got togetha 2 fight 4 liberation & now it's still relatable lol like we stil struggling wit racism & inequality today so yeah, i'm all 4 dis podcast & cant w8 2 c what dey come up w/ nxt

I feel like I've been sleeping under a rock . I had no idea this big deal was happening! 80 years ago?! That's crazy! So, it's all about Black people coming together to fight for their rights and stuff? Like, is that still going on today? Are they actually doing something now besides just talking about it?

I'm loving this podcast about the 80th anniversary of the Pan-African Congress. I mean, can you believe it's been that long since Black people from all over came together to fight for their rights? It's crazy how much progress has been made and yet we still have so much work to do. I think what I love most about this podcast is how it highlights the struggles that are still faced by Black people today, but also shows us how far we've come. Like, I was listening to one of the episodes where they talked about the different visions of Pan-Africanism and it got me thinking - can we really achieve true unity if we all have different ideas about what it means? It's a tough question, but I think that's what makes this conversation so important. We need to keep having these kinds of discussions and listening to each other's perspectives.

I'm not sure why people are still celebrating this 80th anniversary thing, I mean it's been 80 years since some Black people got together in Manchester, but honestly, it's about time we started talking about how it affected the global situation, not just the US and UK...

It's interesting that they mention the parallels between then and now, I think what's missing is the fact that the struggles are still ongoing, especially for Black people in the diaspora who don't even get to claim their African heritage anymore due to colonialism...

The significance of the Pan-African Congress in 1945 cannot be overstated . It's astonishing how, even 80 years later, its legacy continues to shape our understanding of global politics and identity formation. I find it fascinating that the struggles faced by Black people then still resonate with us today, albeit in different contexts. The complexities of Pan-Africanism are indeed multifaceted, and it's refreshing to see various perspectives being shared across different platforms .

What struck me about this recent episode is how the conversation around identity and self-discovery has evolved over time . From a historical context to more contemporary explorations of Pan-Africanism, it's clear that we're still grappling with fundamental questions about our shared humanity . As someone who values nuanced storytelling and global connections, I'm excited to dive deeper into The Cotton Capital project – it feels like the perfect blend of history, culture, and social commentary .

I'm loving this series and how it's shedding light on the significance of the Pan-African Congress. As a parent, it makes me think about how our kids are learning about history in school these days . I've had conversations with my 9-year-old about what 'Pan-Africanism' means to her - she just understands it as being connected to Africa and wanting equality . It's amazing to see the parallels between then and now, especially when you think about how we're still fighting for those same rights today . I love that there's a platform like this exploring these complex issues and giving people the chance to share their perspectives . Can't wait to hear more from Chris Osuh and others on this series!

omg u wont beleev how much i love dis episode !!! its all about pan africanism and how its stil relevant today! idk bout me but i feel like its so important 2 celebrate our heritages and cultures . i loved lisstenin to chris's convo w/ ntombizodwa, it was so insightful! and the part where they talked about how its still relatable today even tho we hav so much progress made is like, woah . cant wait 2 c more episodes of The Cotton Capital