Thanks for tuning in to the Manifesto in Praxis podcast. In this episode Roger McKenzie (author of The Rebirth of the African Phoenix) talks with Molly Dhlamini In this conversation, Roger McKenzie and Molly Dhlamini discuss the themes of McKenzie's book, The Rebirth of the African Phoenix, focusing on the resurgence of Africa and its diaspora, the challenges of peace and security, the impact of the military-industrial complex, and the importance of solidarity and education in achieving liberation and development. They emphasize the need for African unity and the role of external support in fostering change. In this conversation, Molly Dhlamini discusses the impact of distorted religious beliefs on poverty in Africa, the psychological damage caused by apartheid and colonialism, and the unjust indebtedness of the continent. She emphasizes the need to reverse colonial infrastructure to foster African unity and control over resources. The discussion also touches on the Red Caravan initiative aimed at community engagement and solutions, and the importance of mourning the past to facilitate a rebirth of the African spirit and identity.Chapters00:00Introduction to the Rebirth of the African Phoenix02:53Exploring Pan-Africanism and Its Challenges05:48Peace and Security in Africa09:01The Impact of the Military-Industrial Complex11:52The Role of External Powers in African Conflicts15:13Solidarity and Support for African Liberation17:55Education and Skills Development for Peace20:47Advocacy and Multilateral Support23:47The Future of African Unity and Cooperation31:01The Impact of Distorted Religion on Poverty32:59Psychological Damage of Apartheid and Colonialism34:54The Unjust Indebtedness of Africa36:17Reversing Colonial Infrastructure for African Unity38:44The Quest for Resource Control and Equality39:59Challenging Manufactured Inferiority41:25The Red Caravan Initiative47:35Mourning and Rebirth of the African PhoenixThe Rebirth of the African Phoenix - A View from Babylon redefines Africa’s story, shifting our focus between continent and people—Africans reclaiming justice for slavery, whose labour sustains global industries, and whose diaspora fuels worldwide cultural, intellectual, and technological progress. Unflinching in its optimism, the book confronts colonialism’s scars while asserting collectivism, solidarity and renewal. The second in a trilogy, The Rebirth of the African Phoenix is McKenzie’s deeply personal exploration of identity, tracing his ancestral odyssey and awakening as a subject of a fading colonial order. He has spent a life in struggle in the cockpit of British imperialism. A seasoned public servant, former trade union leader, and now international editor of the Morning Star, McKenzie is respected in Britain and beyond as a thinker and activist. More than history, this is a call to action. McKenzie challenges the legacy of the enslavement of Africans, champions indigenous land ownership, debt justice, and collective solutions to climate change. He demands a radical restructuring of global governance—with Africa playing a central role. Initially conceived as a personal reckoning, the book’s launch has struck a chord across continents, proving its universal urgency. The Rebirth of the African Phoenix is not just a study—it’s a manifesto for Africa’s rebirth. Manifesto Press: Radical Reads for a Revolutionary Future For 30 years, we’ve published combative, unflinching books on class struggle, socialism, and liberation. We are worker-owned, movement-backed. Join us—arm the resistance. www.manifestopress.coop
