More Africans are choosing to reclaim indigenous names, with some opting to move away from the Christian or European names they were given and reconnect with names rooted in their own cultures and traditions. This is not necessarily about rejecting other naming traditions, but rather about rediscovering the meaning, history and heritage carried by African names.

What do names reveal about our histories, values and the communities from which we come? As interest in cultural identity and heritage continues to grow, many people are revisiting the significance of names as an important expression of belonging and self-understanding.

Mpho Sithole spoke to Mkhulu Nobamba Zulu, founder of the Kwa-Nobamba Family Spiritual and Mental Wellness Institute, and Asabi Olorunniyi, a cultural consultant from Nigeria.

More Africans are choosing to reclaim indigenous names, with some opting to move away from the Christian or European names they were given and reconnect with names rooted in their own cultures and traditions. This is not necessarily about rejecting other naming traditions, but rather about rediscovering the meaning, history and heritage carried by African names.
What do names reveal about our histories, values and the communities from which we come? As interest in cultural identity and heritage continues to grow, many people are revisiting the significance of names as an important expression of belonging and self-understanding.
Mpho Sithole spoke to Mkhulu Nobamba Zulu, founder of the Kwa-Nobamba Family Spiritual and Mental Wellness Institute, and Asabi Olorunniyi, a cultural consultant from Nigeria.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.

The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.

With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today’s conversations.

It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.

At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.

The Journal, with Mmatsheko Mosito is a human-interest platform that explores the stories shaping our world through a thoughtful, solutions-oriented lens.
The show brings together voices from across sectors in policy, agriculture, arts, health, youth development, and beyond&nbsp;to unpack issues that matter to everyday people.
With a distinct tone that is both grounded and reflective, The Journal goes beyond headlines to examine the deeper context, lived experiences, and long-term implications of today&rsquo;s conversations.
It creates space for meaningful dialogue, knowledge-sharing, and perspective-building, while amplifying African voices and narratives on a global stage.
At its core, the show is about connection, connecting ideas to action, people to purpose, and audiences to a more conscious understanding of the world around them.