If you move into a neighbourhood where a railway line passes, you are likely to struggle with the noise of the trains that use it regularly. But when you ask the neighbours who have lived there for a long time, you might be surprised when they tell you that they do not even notice the train. They will laugh it off and reassure you that you will be fine in no time. “You will get used to it,” they might say with a smile before adding, “You won’t even know it’s there!”. And indeed, chances are that after a while, you will get used to it. Full Article:https://bigsr.africa/the-problem-of-habituating-to-authoritarianism/ Alex Magaisa: twitter.com/Wamagaisa Narrated by Samkeliso Tshuma: twitter.com/samkebusiness

In this article, I borrow a concept from economics to make what I hope is a persuasive argument for why more of us should get involved in public affairs; why we should speak out, participate, and where the facility is available, register to vote. The task of achieving good governance has never been cheap or easy. It is costly and, as has the history of humankind has proven time without number, it can also be a hazardous exercise. But the prospects of achieving it are better when more people work together in strong networks of co-operation. Full article:https://bigsr.africa/good-governance-public-goods-and-the-free-rider-problem/ Alex Magaisa: twitter.com/Wamagaisa Narrated by Samkeliso Tshuma: twitter.com/samkebusiness

The truth, of course, is most people have been witnessing the terrible decline of public goods for a long time. It is the reality they have lived with for a long time. Unfortunately, those who should care often ignore the pleas of the ordinary people, believing these to be poor people’s problems. Everyone should care about how society is governed and take part in promoting it. Full article: https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/11/09/COMMENT-Why-Public-Goods-matter-to-all-of-us-rich-or-poor Alex Magaisa: https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa Narrated by Samkeliso Tshuma: https://twitter.com/samkebusiness

The situation in Nigeria has once again brought to the fore the challenges faced by citizens against trigger-happy and brutal regimes. They do not hesitate to apply excessive force, even if it results in the killing of unarmed citizens. One of the most touching stories is that of a young man, Oke Obi-Enadhuze who tweeted “Nigeria will not end me” on 21 October 2020. A few hours later, he was dead, killed by the security forces. BSR Article: https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/10/24/Big-Saturday-Read-From-Nigeria-to-Zimbabwe---A-Continent-Bleeds Follow Alex Magaisa on Twitter: https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa

Full article: https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2020/10/16/Big-Saturday-Read-The-hyena-cannot-guard-the-interests-of-goats Narrated by Samkeliso Tshuma - https://twitter.com/samkebusiness Follow Alex Magaisa - https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa

This an audio version of a BSR article originally published in 2017. This BSR looks at the legacy and life of Zimbabwean First Lady, Sally Mugabe. Full article: https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2017/01/28/The-Big-Saturday-Read-Sally-Mugabe---From-Ghana-to-Zimbabwe Narrated by Samkeliso Tshuma - https://twitter.com/samkebusiness Follow Alex Magaisa - https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa

This an audio version of a BSR article originally published in 2017. This BSR looks at the legacy and life of Zimbabwean First Lady, Sally Mugabe. Full article - https://www.bigsr.co.uk/single-post/2017/01/28/The-Big-Saturday-Read-Sally-Mugabe---From-Ghana-to-Zimbabwe Narrated by Samkeliso Tshuma - https://twitter.com/samkebusiness Follow Alex Magaisa - https://twitter.com/Wamagaisa