African Discoveries – Powered by UJ Methods Lab

About African Discoveries – Powered by UJ Methods Lab

Welcome to the official podcast of the UJ Methods Lab, a dynamic research consortium based at the University of Johannesburg. We bring together scholars, students, and communities to explore, experiment with, and expand the boundaries of research methodologies. Join us for insightful conversations, field reflections, and collaborative thinking that challenge conventional approaches and ground knowledge in context, creativity, and care. Whether you're a researcher, student, activist, or curious thinker, this is your space to rethink how we come to know.

Publisher

UJ Methods Lab

Category

education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

18 Jul 2025

Latest episode

16 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   16 Sept 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 17 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   Building Africa’s Environmental Leaders: Inside TESIECS with Dr Sinethemba Sidloyi What happens when African universities stop working in isolation and begin sharing knowledge, people, and ideas across borders? In this episode of African Discoveries, Shaun of Thought sits down with Dr Sinethemba Sidloyi to explore TESIECS, an Intra-Africa Mobility Project designed to strengthen collaboration between African institutions while developing the next generation of environmental thought leaders and sustainability champions. From postgraduate scholarships and student mobility to staff development and collaborative research, TESIECS creates opportunities for African students and academics to learn from one another and develop locally contextual solutions to environmental challenges. We explore why intra-African academic mobility matters, how cross-border collaboration can strengthen African higher education, the role of young researchers in addressing environmental challenges, and why inclusion particularly of women, disadvantaged communities, differently-abled people and minority groups is essential to building a sustainable future. Beyond the scholarships, this is a conversation about knowledge, opportunity, collaboration and Africa's capacity to develop its own solutions to its own challenges.

2. 

   17 Aug 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 16 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   What if one place could tell the story of all 54 African countries? In this episode of African Discoveries, Shaun of Thought sits down with Zimbabwean visual artist, educator and cultural visionary Chikonzero Chazunguza, founder of Dzimbanhete Arts and Culture Interactions (DACI). Together they explore one of the continent's most ambitious cultural projects: the All Afrika Village, a living space designed to showcase the indigenous architecture, knowledge systems and heritage of every African nation. The conversation spans art, decolonising education, indigenous knowledge, culturalentrepreneurship, African identity and the importance of preserving the continent's living heritage for future generations. Whether you're passionate about culture, research, tourism, education or Africa's future, this episodeoffers a compelling vision of what African-led innovation can look like.

3. 

   22 Jul 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 15 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   In this episode of African Discoveries, Shaun of Thought sits down with Tinashe and Anza, the minds behind BLEC Advisory, to explore a bold idea: that one of Africa's greatest opportunities lies in making its business ecosystem more visible. Drawing on backgrounds in strategy, human capital development, statistics, artificial intelligence, and business intelligence, they discuss how BLEC Advisory was born from a simple observation too many African businesses, entrepreneurs, and communities remain overlooked because the data needed to understand and support them is fragmented or inaccessible. Together, they unpack the story behind BLEC, the challenges of building a data intelligence platform in Africa, and why better information can lead to better investment, stronger policies, and more inclusive economic growth. The conversation also explores the relationship between human insight and technology, the promise and limitations of AI, and what it will take to build an innovation ecosystem that truly reflects African realities. Whether you're an entrepreneur, researcher, policymaker, investor, student, or simply curious about the future of African innovation, this episode offers fresh perspectives on how data can become a catalyst for meaningful change.

4. 

   8 Jul 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 14 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   History forgot him. This conversation won't. Who was Bloke Modisane beyond the familiar label of a Drum writer? Why does his life and work continue to matter in contemporary South Africa? And what can his story teach us about memory, identity, exile and the enduring power of literature? In this episode of African Discoveries, host Shaun of Thought sits down with Professor Siphiwo Mahala, award-winning novelist, playwright, literary scholar and co-editor of Bloke of All Ages: Perspectives on Bloke Modisane. Together, they explore the remarkable life of one of South Africa's most influential yet often overlooked intellectuals. The conversation examines Modisane's journey from Sophiatown to exile, his contribution to journalism, theatre and literature, and the significance of revisiting his work through a collection of contemporary scholarly perspectives. Professor Mahala also reflects on why recovering African intellectual histories matters, how literary archives shape our understanding of the past, and what today's writers, researchers and students can learn from Modisane's legacy. Whether you're passionate about African literature, history, journalism, cultural studies or simply enjoy thought-provoking conversations, this episode offers a compelling look at a writer whose voice continues to resonate across generations. In this episode, we discuss: • The inspiration behind Bloke of All Ages. • Why Bloke Modisane remains relevant today. • The legacy of the Drum generation. • Literature, memory and the politics of remembering. • Exile, identity and belonging. • Recovering overlooked African intellectuals. If you enjoyed this conversation, follow African Discoveries for more inspiring discussions with scholars, innovators, creators and changemakers who are expanding knowledge and shaping Africa's future one discovery at a time.

5. 

   24 Jun 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 13 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   What does Africa’s digital footprint reveal about who we are becoming? In this episode of African Discoveries, we sit down with Arthur Goldstuck, one of Africa’s most respected voices in technology research, digital transformation, and innovation. As the founder of World Wide Worx, a leading independent technology research organisation on the continent, Arthur has spent decades studying and documenting how Africans use technology, from the rise of the internet and mobile adoption to the changing relationship between humans and digital platforms. Through World Wide Worx, he has helped uncover some of the most important trends shaping Africa’s digital journey, providing insight into how businesses, governments, and societies understand technology. In this fascinating conversation, we explore: - How World Wide Worx became a pioneering force in African technology research - What internet and mobile usage trends reveal about African society - Whether Africa is becoming a digital creator or remaining a digital consumer - The hidden stories behind technology data and human behaviour - The journey behind his bestselling IT book and his mission to make technology accessible - Artificial intelligence, the future of work, and what AI means for Africa’s next generation We also explore bigger questions around humanity and technology: Are we shaping technology, or is technology shaping us? Drawing from global conversations around AI, digital society, and the future of innovation, Arthur shares insights on where Africa stands in the global technological revolution and where we could be heading next. This is a conversation about more than technology. It is about data, society, human behaviour, and Africa’s future. Listen, reflect, and discover.

6. 

   3 Jun 2026

   African Discoveries| Episode 12| Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   What happens when artificial intelligence begins shaping our classrooms, workplaces, governments, and even our understanding of truth? In this episode of African Discoveries, powered by the University of Johannesburg Methods Lab, we sit down with Nasreen Watson, philosopher, AI governance advisor, TEDx speaker, and thought leader in ethical artificial intelligence. As AI tools such as ChatGPT, Gemini, and other generative technologies become part of everyday life, societies across the world are grappling with urgent questions: Can AI be trusted? Who is accountable when algorithms cause harm? Are current AI systems reinforcing existing inequalities? And what does responsible AI governance look like from an African perspective? Drawing on her work in philosophy, education, governance, and organisational ethics, Nasreen explores the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in Africa. The conversation examines digital literacy, algorithmic bias, AI in education, data ownership, the role of Ubuntu in AI ethics, and the growing need for African-centred approaches to technology governance. We also discuss recent controversies surrounding AI-generated misinformation, including the South African AI policy citation scandal, and ask what these incidents reveal about trust, accountability, and the future of knowledge in an age of intelligent machines. Whether you are a student, researcher, policymaker, educator, or simply curious about the future of AI, this episode offers a thought-provoking exploration of one of the most important technological and ethical questions of our time.

7. 

   6 May 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 11 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   In this episode of African Discoveries, Shaun of Thought engages Dr Busisiwe Ntsele to explore what it means to build a just society through intentional action, critical thought, and transformative hope. Framed around the idea of “planting seeds of hope,” this conversation unpacks how change is cultivated, not only through policy or institutions, but through everyday practices, education, and the stories we tell about ourselves and our communities. We delve into the power of transformative narratives and how they can challenge inequality, reshape identities, and open up new possibilities for the future. Dr Ntsele also reflects on her journey through what can be described as a "double-barrel PhD" a powerful blending of academic scholarship and lived, community-based knowledge that pushes the boundaries of traditional ways of knowing. The episode further engages with the urgent project of decolonising education in Africa, asking what meaningful transformation looks like beyond symbolic change, and how indigenous knowledge systems, language, and community voices can be centred in reimagining learning spaces.

8. 

   1 Apr 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 10 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   In this episode of African Discoveries, we sit down with Lindsey Wallett, founder of See-Contact Solutions, to explore a powerful yet often overlooked form of innovation, making better use of the technology we already have. While many organisations rush to adopt new digital tools, Lindsey’s work focuses on uncovering inefficiencies within existing systems and helping businesses reduce service costs while improving customer experience. Through her insights, we learn that true transformation is not always about adding more, but about thinking differently. The conversation unpacks the hidden challenges of customer service technology, the realities of digital transformation in African businesses, and the strategic thinking required to turn operational weaknesses into strengths. Lindsey also reflects on her journey as a founder, the lessons she has learned along the way, and her vision for the future of service optimisation in an AI-driven world. This episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, business leaders, and anyone interested in innovation that is practical, impactful, and rooted in real-world problem solving.

9. 

   17 Mar 2026

   African Discoveries | Episode 9 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

   In this episode of African Discoveries, host Shaun of Thought sits down with Blessing Chiparausha, University Librarian at Bindura University of Science Education, to explore one of Africa’s most overlooked engines of transformation: the academic library. Far from being silent spaces, African libraries are emerging as powerful hubs of digital innovation, research visibility, and knowledge production. Together, they unpack how library resource sharing, social media, and free and open-source software are reshaping how African scholarship is created, accessed, and amplified. The conversation dives into critical questions of epistemic justice, digital decolonisation, and intellectual sovereignty — asking who controls African knowledge, who makes it visible, and how the continent can move from consuming knowledge to producing it on its own terms. This episode reframes the librarian not just as a custodian of books, but as a knowledge activist and architect of Africa’s intellectual future.

10. 

    27 Feb 2026

    African Discoveries | Episode 8 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    In this episode of African Discoveries, Shaun of thought sit down with youth leader and founder Tebatso Mamabolo to talk about dignity, leadership, and building African solutions for African communities. From student leadership to founding the League of Dignity, her journey shows what happens when young people move from being recipients of change to creators of it. This is a conversation about purpose, courage, and the power of youth to shape Africa’s future.

11. 

    13 Feb 2026

    African Discoveries| Episode 7| Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    In this episode of African Discoveries, Shaun of Thought speaks with Kutloano Malahlela, founder of the Eye of Hope community Development Organisation. Established when he was just 14 years old, Eye of Hope responds to poverty, educational inequality, and cultural erosion through Afrocentric, community-driven approaches. This conversation explores: - Youth-led and African-centred development models - Indigenous languages, literacy, and identity - How lived experience and academic theory intersect in practice -Organising hope into action--without waiting for external solutions

12. 

    14 Jan 2026

    African Discoveries| Episode 6| Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    The first episode of the year on our African Discoveries, explores Ukuthunywa as an African-centred research methodology that challenges dominant Western academic traditions. Joined by Dr Nombulelo Shange, the conversation reframes Ukuthunywa—commonly understood as “being sent to run errands”—as a profound system of knowledge production rooted in service, spirituality, community, and ancestral guidance. Drawing from Dr Shange’s ethnographic work with African healers known as the Mountain Doctors, the episode illustrates how Ukuthunywa transforms research from an extractive practice into a relational, ethical, and communal process. The discussion highlights African ethical principles such as ukuzithoba (humility), bika (stating one’s purpose), reciprocity, and learning through lived experience, dreams, and collective participation. This episode argues that recognising Ukuthunywa as a legitimate methodology is essential for decolonising knowledge systems, reclaiming African intellectual spaces, and advancing African-led science and solutions grounded in indigenous epistemologies.

13. 

    20 Nov 2025

    African Discoveries | Episode 5 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    Welcome to African Discoveries. Today we have the honour of speaking with Professor Sisanda Nkoala, a distinguished scholar whose work has significantly contributed to our understanding of visual culture, methodologies, and how representation interacts with power, identity, and memory. In this episode, we’ll explore visual methodologies from an African perspective, how African scholars, artists, and communities are not merely consumers of visual technologies or traditions, but active discoverers, adaptors, and innovators of visual knowledge.

14. 

    31 Oct 2025

    African Discoveries | Episode 4 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    Welcome to today’s episode of African Discovery, where we explore the innovations, voices, and knowledge systems shaping the continent and the world. Our guest is Bobby Shabangu, the President of Wikimedia South Africa and a leading advocate for decolonising knowledge through Wikipedia. Bobby has been at the forefront of transforming how Africa documents and shares its stories, especially by finding ways to reference and publish oral knowledge that has long been passed down across generations, but too often left out of written archives. Today, we’ll talk about what it means to decolonise our knowledge systems, the role of Wikipedia in amplifying African voices, and how the future of digital knowledge might finally reflect the richness of African realities.

15. 

    16 Oct 2025

    African Discoveries | Episode 3 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    We’re thrilled to welcome Dr. Collence Takaingenhamo Chisita, a distinguished scholar in Library and Information Science, as our special guest. Join us as we unpack the evolving role of libraries and digital libraries in the digital age. Dr. Chisita has collaborated with leading institutions including UNISA, Durban University of Technology, and the UJ Methods Lab, and has made remarkable contributions through his books, chapters, and research publications. Don’t miss this insightful conversation on innovation, knowledge, and the future of information access.

16. 

    15 Sept 2025

    African Discoveries | Episode 2 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    Episode 2 – African Discoveries (Powered by UJ Methods Lab) In this episode, we welcome Dr. Sizwe Zwelakhe Dlamini, Senior Lecturer in the Department of African Languages at the University of Johannesburg. Together, we dive into the concept of SHAKAI, unpack the importance of linguistic justice, and reflect on how artificial intelligence is influencing Africa’s cultural and linguistic future. This thought-provoking conversation highlights the intersection of technology, identity, and language, offering fresh insights into how Africa can shape its own digital destiny.

17. 

    18 Jul 2025

    African Discoveries | Episode 1 | Powered by the UJ Methods Lab

    Welcome to the official podcast of the UJ Methods Lab, a space for thinking, questioning, and reshaping how we do research. In this episode, Distinguished Professor Kevin Durrheim sets the scene for what the UJ Methods Lab is all about. He reflects on the Lab’s vision as a collaborative and dynamic space for rethinking research, one that values context, creativity, and care. This episode explores the foundations of the Methods Lab, the importance of grounded methodologies, and why experimenting with how we do research is essential for both academic and community-based knowledge-making. Whether you're a student, scholar, or practitioner, this conversation invites you to imagine new possibilities for research that is engaged, experimental, and deeply rooted in the world we live in.

18. 

    18 Jul 2025

    EPISODE 1 | UJ Methods Lab

    Welcome to the official podcast of the UJ Methods Lab, a space for thinking, questioning, and reshaping how we do research. In this episode, Distinguished Professor Kevin Durrheim sets the scene for what the UJ Methods Lab is all about. He reflects on the Lab’s vision as a collaborative and dynamic space for rethinking research, one that values context, creativity, and care. This episode explores the foundations of the Methods Lab, the importance of grounded methodologies, and why experimenting with how we do research is essential for both academic and community-based knowledge-making. Whether you're a student, scholar, or practitioner, this conversation invites you to imagine new possibilities for research that is engaged, experimental, and deeply rooted in the world we live in.

Contact African Discoveries – Powered by UJ Methods Lab

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.