THE INDEPENDENTS

Celebrate the history of Africa via The Independents, a MoCADA podcast produced by Mamoussa that explores the regional events that sparked revolutions, to the conversations, political speeches, and music that activated the pursuit for freedom. Tune in.

Episode 7: Mozambique

Episode 7: Mozambique
Freedom Day: June 25, 1975

In this episode, Producer Moussa Fofana explores the resistance movement, known as the Front for the Liberation of Mozambique (FRELIMO), and their 11-year battle for independence from the colonial power of Portugal. With self-determination of the people at the heart, the revolution was led by FRELIMO’s first president Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane who coined the slogan “a luta continua” (the struggle continues), and after Mondlane’s assassination, was upheld by Samora Michel, FREELIMO’s second leader who later became the first president of “A New Mozambique, United and Freed.” Listen to archival recordings featuring these revolutionary greats, historians, and more.

Archives include (in order of appearance): an extract from an archival recording of Mozambican revolutionary Samora Machel announcing Mozambique’s independence; The History Four BBC featuring Dr Eric Morier-Genoud, from the Queen’s University Belfast, and Nyeleti Brooke Mondlane, daugher of Mozambican revolutionary, anthropologist, and founder of the Mozambican Liberation Front, Eduardo Mondlane; clips from African Histories Series: Samora Machel and the struggles for Mozambique via the African Press Podcast Service, including a Hans slow member of RSA special forces, an investigator in Xila Koisan, Judge Cecil Margo, and André Thomashausen, Professor Emeritus of International Law at University of South Africa; and clips from the documentary, Faces Of Africa – Samora Machel: The Struggle Continues,featuring Olivia Machel, Samora Machel’s daughter, and a survivor of the crash of Samora Machel’s plane.

Episode 6: South Africa

Episode 6: South Africa
Freedom Day: April 27, 1994

The Natives Land Act of 1913 consolidated British power in South Africa by restricting Black people from buying or occupying land (except as employees of White masters). 20 years later, the Union of South Africa was sovereign from British rule. By 1948, the Afrikaner National Party won the elections and introduced Apartheid legislation, prohibiting different racial groups from living together. This regime ended in 1994 with the work of the African National Congress (ANC) and global BDS (boycotts, divestments, sanctions) movements, which led to Nelson Mandela becoming president of the Republic of South Africa. Freedom Day is now celebrated every April 27.

In this episode, Producer Moussa Fofana explores how this country was once ruled by segregation. Listen to archival recordings from artist-activist Miriam “Mama Africa” Makeba and ANC leaders Nelson Mandela and Oliver Tambo as they fight for freedom against the musical backdrop of Hugh Masekela and Sathima Bea Benjamin.

Archives include: an extract from Radio Freedom; Miriam Makeba reading an extract from her autobiography Makeba: My Story, Miriam Makeba, James Hall (Bloomsbury Publishing, 1988); UN document about explaining Apartheid rules in South Africa; Oliver Tambo ANC President; Nelson Mandela’s speech during his trial; Helen Suzman, PBS; Miriam Makeba interview on Finnish TV; Miriam Makeba asked about difference between Black Brazilians, Americans and Africans on interview on Finland TV; Fireshot during Soweto riot 1976; Oliver Tambo, ANC president, on what makes the country ungovernable; Tokyo Sewale, Former ANC member.

Tracklist

#	Artist name	Track name
1	Miriam Makeba	“Pata Pata” (‘Pata Pata’ album, Reprise Records, 1967)
2	Sathima Bea Benjamin ft. Dollar Brand	“African Songbird” (‘African Songbird’ album, The Sun Records, 1976)
3	Harry Belafonte and Miriam Makeba	“Train Song (Mbombela)” (RCA, 1961)
4	Miriam Makeba	“Lumumba” (‘Keep Me In Mind’ album, Reprise Records, 1970)
5	Dudu Phukwana And The “Spears”	“Joe’s Jika (Joe’s groove)” (‘Dudu Phukwana and The Spears’ album, Quality Records, 1969)
6	Hugh Masekela ft Miriam Makeba	“Soweto Blues” (‘You Told Your Mama Not To Worry’ album, Casablanca, 1977)
7	Hugh Masekela	“Uptownship” (‘Uptownship’ album, Novus Records, 1989)
8	Sathima Bea Benjamin	“Africa” (‘African Songbird’ album, The Sun Records, 1976)
9	Hugh Masekela & Ojah	“Afro Beat Blues” (The Chisa Years: 1965–1975, Rare and Unreleased’ album, BBE Records, 2006
10	Hugh Masekela	“Bring Him Back Home (Nelson Mandela)” (Tomorrow’ album, Warner Bros Records, 1987)
11	Letta Mbulu	“Sweet Juju” (‘In The Music The Village Never Ends’ album, Munjale Records, 1983)
12	Bongi Makeba	“Africa” (‘Blow On Wind’ album, Pläne Records, 1980)
13	Sathima Bea Benjamin	“Winnie Mandela – Beloved Heroine” (‘Love Light’ album, Enje Records, 1968)
14	Letta Mbulu	“Kilimanjaro (Take Us Higher)” (‘Kilimanjaro’ album, MJS Records, 1981)
15	Hugh Masekela	“No Woman, No Cry” (‘Uptownship’ album, Novus Records, 1989)

Episode 5: Guinea

Episode 5: Guinea
Independence Day: October 2, 1958

It’s October 2, 1958, and you’re in Conakry, Guinea listening to Afropop legends, Bembeya Jazz National. Captivated by their hypnotic electric guitar riffs, you lean in, diving deeper into the day’s events. You’re feeling a sense of pride because you’ve just witnessed Guinea publicly reject European colonization and demand independence from French colonial rule.

In this episode of The Independents podcast, producer Mamoussa reminds us that as much as things change, they’re always a mirror for what’s happening now on the continent. Listen in as Djibril Tasmir Niane sheds light on the political, economic, and social climate that led to Guinea’s sovereignty and the first few years of Sékou Touré’s presidency.

Tracklist

#	Artist name	Track name
1	Balla et ses Balladins	“Paulette”
2	Bembeya Jazz National	“Pétit Sekou”
3	Simandou-Jazz	“Bounika”
4	Horoya Band National	“Were Were”
5	Orchestre de la Paillote	“La Guinée Moussolou”.
6	Kélétigui et ses Tambourinis.	“Soundiata”
7	Bembeya Jazz National	“Moussogbe”
8	Kebendo Jazz	“Soumba”
9	22 Band	“Mousso la Tintani”
10	Syli Authentic	“Andrée”

Episode 4: Ivory Coast

Episode 4: Ivory Coast
Independence Day: August 7th, 1960

Though we celebrate Côte d’Ivoire’s independence day on August 7, we must recognize that the road to liberation is not built in one day. Since 1960, Ivory Coast, which has become one of West Africa’s most prosperous countries, has navigated the terms of its freedom on the political stage. A country deeply invested in its presidential power, in this episode of The Independents, we hear from the first and former president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny aka Papa Houphouët or Le Vieux, former president Laurent Gbagbo, and former prime minister and current president Alassane Dramane Ouattara, who give context to the challenges faced by the rising nation over the last 60 years.

Tracklist

#	Artist name	Track name
1	Les Soeurs Comoé	“Mio Bio”
2	Eba Aka Jerome	“Trahison (Part I)”
3	Fax Clark	“Tchogo Tchogo / Findjougou”.
4	Ernesto Djédjé	“Ziboté”
5	Mamadou Doumbia	“Ne Mousso Massé”
6	Bony Pascal Et Les Cantadors De La Capitale.	“Abidjan Problèmes”
7	Guéi Victor	“Lékiné”
8	Aicha Koné and the Alloco-Band	“Wodjoro”
9	Gadji Celi	“Maroc 88”

Episode 3: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)

Episode 3: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
Independence Day: June 30, 1960

June 30 is Independence Day for the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). On this day in 1960, the people officially declared themselves free from Belgian colonial powers, thanks to the unapologetic push for freedom by Prime Minister Patrice Lumumba, Congolese politician and diplomat Sakombi Inongo, supported by large voices, like African-American boxer and activist, Muhammad Ali. Listen to episode 3 now.

Tracklist

#	Artist name	Track name
1	Le Grand Kallé et l’African Jazz	“Table Ronde”
2	Franco Luambo & TPOK Jazz	“Infidelité Mado”
3	Le Grand Kallé et l’African Jazz	“Sentiment Emonani”
4	Tabu Ley Rochereau	“Kaful Mayay”
5	Le Grand Kallé et l’African Jazz	“Sophie Ya Motéma”
6	Docteur Nico & L’African Fiesta	“Sanza Zomi Na Mibale”
7	Franco Luambo & TPOK Jazz	“Mario”
8	Docteur Nico & L’African Fiesta.	“Nakeyi Abidjan”
9	Pépé Kallé	“Yhanni”
10	Prince Youlou Mabiala	“Carte Postale”
11	Defao	“2ème mi-temps famille Kikuta”.
12	Le Grand Kallé et l’African Jazz	“Independance Cha-Cha”

Episode 2: Cameroon

Episode 2: Cameroon
Independence Day: January 1st, 1960

West African country Cameroon declared its independence from France on January 1st, 1960 through the efforts of the Union des Populations Camerounaises (UPC). October 1st is also known as Cameroon’s Independence Day/Unification Day as they joined The Republic of Cameroon after dissolving their relationship with Great Britain on October 1st, 1961. Commemorating their first official independence of record, this episode features the voices of anti-colonialist political leader, Ruben Um Nyobe, former president of Cameroon, Ahmadou Ahidjo, historian Yves Monologue, and more.

Tracklist

#	Artist name	Track name
1	Francis Bebey	“Obia”
2	Gilles Sala	“Douala”
3	Archangelo Demoneko Et Son Ensemble	“Cocorico”
4	Mafen Tante Christine et l’Orchestre Fédéral de Yaoundé.	“Amour Forcé”
5	Manu Dibango	“Wachi-Wara”
6	Nelle Eyoum	“Jom Te Bo E Bo Fo”
7	Charles Lembe	“Quiero Wapacha”
8	Le Grand Kalle & l’African Team & Manu Dibango	“Nasengina”
9	Dikalo	“Old Fisherman”
10	Gilles Sala	“Kalou”
11	Jojo L’Explosif	“Dig It Babe Part 2”
12	Archangelo Demoneko Et Son ensemble	“Kalingali”
13	Francis Bebey	“Le Chant D’ibadan”

Episode 1: Ghana

Episode 1: Ghana
Independence Day: March 6, 1957

In the first episode of The Independents, we spotlight Ghana. Listen now to hear from former Ghanaian President Kwame Nkrumah, Maya Angelou, Malcolm X, former Secretary of State Dr. K. B. Asante, and more. Plus the music that set the soundtrack to the revolution.

Tracklist

#	Artist name	Track name
1	E. T. Mensah	“Ghana Freedom”
2	E.K. Nyame	“Mde Meho Aba”
3	Red Spot Band	“Essie Attah”
4	Black Beats Band	“Enya Wo Dofo “
5	Asante Nkramo Band	“Nana Baayie Adowa Nwomkro Kuo”
6	E. T. Mensah	“Ghana-Guinea-Mali”
7	Dr. K. Gyasi & His Noble Kings	“Sei Nazo”
8	Nana Kwame Ampadu	“Evergreen Vol 1 Agatha”
9	“Vis-A-Vis”	Obi Agye Me Dofo
10	“Appiah Adjekum’s Band	“Owu Atwere”
11	F. Kenya”	“Nyameco”
12	E. T. Mensah & The Tempos	“Kwame Nkrumah”

MADE POSSIBLE THANKS TO

This program was made possible by Ford Foundation, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature, NYC Department of Youth and Community Development, the NYC Coalition for Theaters of Color, and the New York Department of Cultural Affairs.