Kenyan-born Sophie Ikenye currently presents Focus on Africa on BBC World News.
Prior to joining the BBC she did her training and first few years in the industry in
her home country, with several years of service at the Kenyan Broadcasting
Corporation. Screen Africa chatted to her about business, culture and broadcasting
in Africa today.
Screen Africa: Have you found that your work on Focus on Africa has given you
insights into life, culture and business on the continent that you would not otherwise
have had? If so, what are these insights?
Sophie Ikenye: Yes it has. The Focus on Africa team is composed of a diverse group
from various parts of the continent. Business practice across various countries in
Africa is different. For example, in Kenya, people are accustomed to starting the
day early, whereas in Uganda, people tend to start their day a little later. In
Nigeria, trust is key in business practice. These are some of the insights that have
influenced how we on Focus on Africa approach business issues.
In terms of culture, we have found that West Africans are bold, strong and have a
more profound approach to life, whereas East Africans are the more passive and
gentler in their mannerisms; this influences how we approach our different sources.
Screen Africa: In your experience of interviewing various African leaders, how
would you describe the current state or spirit of African leadership? We had the era
of the revered independence leaders such as Kenyatta and Nkrumah, and then we
had an era of strongmen – both military and civilian – who ruled through patronage,
personality cults and sheer force – think Mobutu or Abacha. Now we have a new
generation of leaders. How would you sum them up?
Sophie Ikenye: African leadership is rapidly changing … Civilians have more of a
voice than ever before. Leaders are constantly challenged and some are kept more
accountable for their decision-making.
I find that the new generation of African leaders is more accessible. Today, the
Kenyan President is accessible via mobile phone; the Ghanaian President has often
accepted interviews from us on the ground – he is very available to speak to the
media. I think the current scope of leadership is trying to demystify their office.
Communication has become a tool of choice and power.
Screen Africa: African countries are starting to make great leaps in terms of
business and technological innovation – the IT revolution in the Great Lakes region
is one example. Of the various stories of entrepreneurship, personal achievement
and business development, which one(s) have been the most memorable for you
and why?
Sophie Ikenye: We spoke to a young Ghanaian man whose parents had planned for
him to become a banker – many young people are pressurised into entering this
industry – but his true love was, believe it or not, leather!
He had this fascination for how leather can be deconstructed and reconstructed into
beautiful designer shoes. He’d be a banker by day and a cobbler by night – without
his parent’s knowledge. He started to become more well-known in his community,
when foreigners from the West would purchase his shoes. This became a flourishing
business… where buyers in both Europe and the USA started ordering his shoes.
This is one of my most memorable stories, as this is a young, African man who
took a risk – went against the odds, and refused to conform to the conservative
ideals of African culture – followed his heart’s desire, and pursued his chosen
career. He has now placed himself on a global platform. This is what I live for! And
… I love shoes!
Screen Africa: In the world of African arts and culture, what artists, musicians,
filmmakers, poets have really impressed you as you have spoken to them for Focus
on Africa?
Sophie Ikenye: I’ve interviewed the brilliant Nigerian musician Femi Kuti, who’s the
son of the late Fela Kuti. Due to his name, and his father’s reputation across the
continent, for him to continue the legacy of his father he has had to overcome
constant comparisons to him. Femi has made a name across the continent, across
cultural barriers, and has managed to be consistent in his artistry. He not only
entertains, but strives to be a tool of social and political transformation, through his
music. This has inspired me beyond words.
Screen Africa: How did your career progress up to the point when you started work
on Focus on Africa? What previous work did you do and how did it prepare you for
your current role?
Sophie Ikenye: I’ve worked for three big media houses in Kenya, with very different
styles of learning and reporting. This really helped me adapt much quicker when I
joined BBC World News.
Having been a radio news editor for one of the independent radio stations in Kenya,
I’ve learnt to challenge my belief system, and constantly aim to reflect
communities, rather than impose my own bias.
Screen Africa: What stories are you looking forward to covering in the near future?
Sophie Ikenye: I am looking forward to extensively covering the 2015 Nigerian
elections, with reporters both on the ground and in studio. We’ll be covering how
leadership has evolved in Nigeria, the progression of the Niger Delta; we’ll be
talking to everyone, from the youth up to the very old, and uncovering the secret
behind Nigeria’s consistency in being one of the biggest economic hubs in Africa.
Screen Africa: Working within the African broadcasting industry, how have you seen
things develop over the past few years? And how do you see the industry changing
over the next few years as more and more channels and platforms enter the
market?
Sophie Ikenye: Technology has greatly influenced reporting on Africa. Prior to this
transformation, people use to get their news on radio and television, but citizens
are now being informed on the go. With platforms such as Twitter, Focus on Africa
has managed to secure information from areas that are unreachable, or going
through crisis, such as remote Liberian villages that have been hard-hit by the Ebola
crisis.
I foresee that audiences will be at the forefront of decisions that media houses
make – channels are forced to adapt to the ever-changing lifestyles, opinions and
culture of their communities.
Screen Africa: In a more universal sense, how have you observed the work of the
journalists and news gatherers changing over the years as technology advances and
official regulation of the media undergoes various changes – in some case towards
greater liberalisation, in others towards tighter control?
Sophie Ikenye: Many people I speak to about this issue believe that media should
be allowed to regulate itself – to be its own watch dog, giving itself a sense of
responsibility. Some argue that media houses should construct their own board of
experienced editors or executives, to monitor messaging going out and how this
messaging is received.
For example, today media houses critique public broadcasters on a daily basis,
without fear. The type of courage is progressive for the continent, and shows that
governments are allowing for better lines of communication.
– Warren Holden
