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One of The Flip Side's host, Okeri Ngutjinazo, gestures as she stands in front of a blue background

The Flip Side: A different angle on Africa's big stories

Short videos exposing the hidden angles of Africa's trending topics. Welcome to the Flip Side! We turn reporting about the continent on its head.

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All Content on this topic

One Starlink antenna stands in a garden at sunset, searching for SpaceX satellites

Is Elon Musk's Starlink in Africa a blessing or curse?

Starlink is expanding into Africa. By the end of 2024, than half the continent will be connected to the satellite.
TechnologyOctober 11, 202403:18 min
Two male politicians from the AfD party walk with documents.

AfD's political rise sparks fears among immigrants

The rising popularity of Germany's anti-immigrant party AfD has sparked fears among foreigners living in the country.
SocietyOctober 4, 202403:12 min
China Afrika Forum

China's renewable energy pitch to Africa: Too much power?

China's offer of renewable energy projects is enticing. But could flooding the market dent homegrown businesses?
TradeSeptember 13, 202402:38 min
Südafrika plant neue Gesetze zur Polygamie | Screenshot DW

Will you marry us? Polygamy in South Africa

South Africa's proposed new marriage law excludes polyandrous women and polyamorous same-sex people. Why?
SocietyAugust 30, 202403:15 min
Südafrika |  Parlamentswahl 2024 | Julius Malema

What's next for EFF after Floyd Shivambu's defection?

Floyd Shivambu's defection to Jacob Zuma's uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is seen as a significant blow to Julius Malema.
PoliticsAugust 23, 202402:52 min
DW Sendung 77 percent "The Power of Hip Hop"

The rise and ruin of P-Square

Once the powerhouse duo of African music, P-Square's rise to fame was as meteoric as their eventual fall.
SocietyAugust 16, 202403:10 min
Südafrika | Afrikanische Diaspora

Are Africans to blame for how the continent is perceived?

US comedian Tiffany Haddish's excitement upon discovering a well-stocked supermarket in Zimbabwe sparked global outrage.
SocietyAugust 9, 202403:29 min
Namibia | Drei Wanderer fotografieren einen abgestorbenen Baum in der Salz-Ton-Pfanne

Will Namibia's new visa policy do more harm than good?

Namibia is imposing new visa rules on over 30 countries it says do not share the ease of entry it grants their citizens.
TravelAugust 5, 202403:10 min
Ruanda Kigali Stadtansicht Alltag

Flipping capital cities: Is Africa misguided?

Many African countries have embarked on the journey of moving their capital cities for various reasons.
SocietyJuly 29, 202403:21 min
Südafrika Kapstadt | Cyril Ramaphosa und John Steenhuisen

Are South African MPs undermining the GNU?

South Africa is witnessing a parliamentary chaos over language policies.
PoliticsJuly 19, 202402:56 min
Dinghy carries migrants across English Channel on March 06, 2024

Rwanda unscathed in failed UK migration deal

Though a deportation deal with the UK has been scrapped, Rwanda looks set to deposit another $307 million into the bank.
MigrationJuly 12, 202402:19 min
A protestor is holding up a Kenyan flag as he appears to be chocking on tear gas

Are Kenyan anti-tax protests being hijacked by 'criminals?'

Kenya's Gen Z protests have been ongoing for weeks, but now criminals are undermining their peaceful efforts.
CrimeJuly 8, 202403:27 min
People plant trees on the outskirts of Khartoum, Sudan

Africa's Great Green Wall struggles to halt desertification

Billions have been poured into the Green Wall project to stop land degradation but little progress has been made.
Nature and EnvironmentJune 29, 202403:11 min
Oil refinery and petrochemical installations in Nigeria

Why Nigeria's largest refinery is importing US oil

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery — the largest in Africa — was supposed to stop Nigeria’s reliance on imported crude oil
BusinessJune 27, 202403:33 min
Nigeria's president Bola Tinubu giving a speech in 2023

Why change old African national anthems?

Nigeria's return to its old anthem has caused fierce debate. But is parting with old anthems a good idea?
SocietyJune 14, 202402:55 min
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Jacob Zuma's reemergence

Jacob Zuma has reemerged as a political force after his newly formed MK party performed well in the 2024 elections.
PoliticsJune 7, 202403:57 min
Ruanda | Universität Wiedereröffnung

Pursuit for higher education in Africa

Africa needs to invest massively in higher education to turn the brain drain into brain gain.
SocietyMay 31, 202403:25 min
Grenzübergang zwischen Benin und Niger in Malanville

Niger and Benin’s border dispute

A tense border dispute between Niger and Benin seems to have been averted for now.
PoliticsMay 20, 202403:13 min
A closeup of a person's hand holding an orange microphone

Can Burkina Faso's citizen journalists replace the media?

Burkina Faso's military junta has suspended several international media organizations, including DW.
MediaMay 6, 202403:09 min
Südafrika Protest gegen Frauengewalt

Is South Africa suffering from an epidemic of gun violence?

South Africa has one of the world’s highest murder rates. What role does gun violence play in that and why?
CrimeMay 2, 202403:37 min
Video-Still | DW-Sendung Shift | Money

Nollywood: behind the red carpet and glamour

Nigeria's booming film industry has a dark side.
ArtsApril 24, 202403:50 min
A Zimbabwean gold coin being held between two fingers

Should Africa ditch underperforming currencies?

African currencies continue to slump against major global currencies.
GlobalizationApril 16, 202402:54 min
A sign that says "ChildNotBride" held up in front of a woman's face in Nigeria.

Ghana's child marriage scandal

The alleged marriage of a 12-year-old to an elderly priest in Ghana has renewed debate about child brides in Africa.
SocietyApril 5, 202403:10 min
Senegal's president-elect Bassirou Diomaye Faye

Will Senegal's Diomaye deliver?

Senegal's President-elect Diomaye Faye has pledged to radically change Senegal, but can he deliver?
PoliticsApril 1, 202402:22 min
The USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) sails under the Friendship Bridge as it transits the Suez Canal

Can Africa profit from Red Sea crisis?

Shipping companies are diverting cargo around the African continent to avoid Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.
BusinessFebruary 16, 202402:41 min
Screenshot of Senegal President Macky Sall speaking on TV. It shows him standing at a podium with the Senegalese flag next to him

Senegal's election delay, President Macky Sall's legacy

What will be President Macky Sall's legacy following the postponement of the 2024 presidential election?
PoliticsFebruary 12, 202402:55 min
Italien-Afrika Gipfel in Rom

Does Italy’s new plan work for Africa?

Italy's "Mattei Plan," called ‘a partnership between equals,’ is already ruffling feathers in Africa.
TradeFebruary 5, 202403:32 min
A military convoy of South Africa National Defence Forces (SANDF) rides along a dirt road

Can southern African forces bring peace to Congo?

After several attempts to restore stability, the Democratic Republic of Congo is getting new peacekeepers on the ground.
SocietyJanuary 17, 202403:11 min
A female football referee holds a football in her right hand while male referee lurks behind

Angolan female soccer referee faces obstacles

Lucia Manuel Tchiputo isn't only a trailblazing referee: She advocates a future without gender limitations in football.
SoccerDecember 23, 202301:29 min
Rwanda's Paul Kagame and DR Congo President Felix Tshisekedi

Congo and Rwanda's difficult relations

Rwanda accuses DR Congo leader of 'threat' over Hitler jibe. Content warning: Disturbing details follow.
PoliticsDecember 15, 202302:57 min
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South Africa to pull out of the UN Refugee Convention?

South Africa wants tougher laws to stop the influx of refugees and asylum seekers. One proposal is a withdrawal from the international convention on refugees. In the runup to a general election, the government is under pressure to calm rising xenophobia and the record unemployment in a weak economy that appears to fuel the trend.
PoliticsDecember 6, 202302:39 min
A man speaks to the camera, with a photo of a statue of chained slaves behind him

Modern slavery on the rise around the world

Varying forms of modern slavery have increased significantly in the last five years, according to the United Nations.
SocietyNovember 30, 202301:28 min
Julius Malema giving a speech with a raised fist

South Africa's Julius Malema holds Kenya's Ruto to account

South Africa's firebrand politician, Julius Malema, gave a dynamic speech at the launch of the Pan-African Institute, in which he criticized Kenya's President William Ruto. Malema received enthusiastic cheers from the audience. But did he cross a line and break the African etiquette that a guest does not speak ill of their host?
PoliticsNovember 17, 202303:34 min
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Why cancel MrBeast after building 100 wells in Africa?

MrBeast's philanthropy might seem commendable, but it's also controversial
PoliticsNovember 14, 202303:16 min
Closeup of an exiled Zimbabwean national holding his passport in his hands

Africa's visa regimes holding back trade, prosperity

Africa still grapples with visa regimes that many analysts say is holding back Africa's economic prosperity.
BusinessNovember 6, 202302:56 min
Afrikanische Diaspora

How Africans live in the diaspora

An African expat can sometimes encounter more than just greener pastures and a dream life.
SocietyOctober 30, 202303:18 min
Zentralafrikanische Republik Patienten mit Affenpocken

The Flip Side: Fake doctors, lawyers in Africa

Impersonators in Kenya and South Africa spark concern that trust in important professions could be undermined.
SocietyOctober 20, 202302:46 min
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George Weah's failed war crimes court

Six years ago, President George Weah had pledged to establish an economic and war crimes court.
Law and JusticeOctober 17, 202303:04 min
Mali | Anführer der malischen Junta bei Militärparade zum Unabhängigkeitstag in Bamako

Why can't Mali's army secure its nation?

Can Mali's ruling military junta deal with insurgents?
PoliticsOctober 9, 202302:54 min
Bundesliga | Bayer Leverkusen v FC Heidenheim - Victor Boniface

How the world exploits Africa's sporting talent

African-born sports stars light up the world stage, but often for foreign clubs and federations.
SportsOctober 2, 202302:47 min
external

Xenophobia on the ballot in South Africa’s elections

Instead of blaming poor leadership, many are turning against foreigners, with xenophobic attacks on the rise.
PoliticsSeptember 26, 202303:03 min
Gabun | General Brice Oligui Nguema

The Flip Side: The coup in Gabon

General Brice Oligui Nguema was recently sworn in as Gabon's interim president following a coup.
PoliticsSeptember 11, 202302:49 min
FIFA Frauen Fußball WM 2023 | Italien - Südafrika

African football arrives at Women's World Cup

Africa teams' performances at the Women's World Cup has signalled a power shift in women's football.
SoccerAugust 11, 202302:53 min
Coup aftermath in Niger

What are the real motives of Niger’s coup leaders

Niger’s military has toppled the elected president of the country, riding on back of anti-France sentiments.
SocietyAugust 7, 202302:41 min
Themenpaket | Getreidehandel Getreide-Deal Grain deal Ukraine Russland

What Africa really needs isn't Ukrainian grain

Some analysts predict that ending the Black Sea grain deal will negatively impact certain African nations.
PoliticsJuly 21, 202302:43 min
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The Flip Side of next level gaming in Africa

Online gamers around Africa are delighted over Amazon’s new Africa headquarters in Cape Town. They expect the conglomerate will give Africa’s gamers the servers they need to compete fast and fairly worldwide. But Amazon’s new HQ is a game changer for the first modern humans in Africa too. The company will effectively become the custodians of Khoi and San sacred land and heritage.
BusinessJuly 13, 202303:07 min
USA New York | UN Security Council

The Flip Side of the UN Security Council structure

There are growing calls for reforms at the UN Security Council including granting Africa a permanent seat.
PoliticsJune 23, 202303:09 min
Netflix Film Queen Cleopatra

The Flip Side: Of Cleopatra's controversial movie

Why are Egyptians infuriated by the Netflix documentary potraying Queen Cleopatra as Black?
ArtsMay 19, 202302:46 min
Demokratische Republik Kongo Überschwemmungen

The Flip Side of DR Congo's floods

This week's Flipside looks at how communities can protect themselves against the ever increasing threat.
ClimateMay 12, 202302:35 min
Afrika Tansania Protest Maasai

The FlipSide of conservation versus local communities

Conservation is a critical issue in Africa. But should it come at the cost of the local communities who live there?
Nature and EnvironmentApril 21, 202302:59 min