What does it mean to be an activist today — and who gets to claim that title?

In this episode of Power, People & Planet, Kumi Naidoo is joined by Hardi Yakubu, Coordinator of Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace and Dignity, for a powerful conversation on leadership, solidarity, and building people-powered movements across Africa.

From Hardi’s early experiences of standing up to injustice in school to his current role helping lead a pan-African movement with tens of thousands of members, the conversation challenges narrow, NGO-centric definitions of activism and calls for organising that goes beyond moments of protest.

At a time of overlapping crises — from climate breakdown to economic injustice — this episode asks how movements can rise with clarity, courage, and care.

Because pessimism is a luxury we simply cannot afford.

🧭 Topics Discussed
✅Early experiences that shape a life of resistance
✅The origins and growth of Africans Rising as a pan-African movement
✅Why mobilisation is not enough — and why organising matters
✅Building collective leadership beyond charismatic individuals
✅Challenging extractive economic models and imperial power
✅Unity, justice, peace, and dignity as foundations for Africa’s future

RESOURCES:

Hardi Yakubu- https://www.facebook.com/sonofafrica/

Africans Rising for Unity, Justice, Peace and Dignity- https://www.facebook.com/AfricansRising

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