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ARC

Culture

ARC is a non-profit documentary channel. We tell stories through film and narrative-driven podcasting that explore social justice issues, uncover histories that shape the present, and challenge dominant narratives. Our work amplifies voices often left unheard, creating space for deeper understanding. For more see: https://www.arcdocs.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Location:

South Africa

Description:

ARC is a non-profit documentary channel. We tell stories through film and narrative-driven podcasting that explore social justice issues, uncover histories that shape the present, and challenge dominant narratives. Our work amplifies voices often left unheard, creating space for deeper understanding. For more see: https://www.arcdocs.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Language:

English


Episodes
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Unburied S1E4: The Return

7/1/2025
As Rudolf Pöch prepared to leave Southern Africa in 1910, he left behind a legacy of exhumed graves, stolen bones, and silenced voices. But he also left behind a trail — one that leads, unexpectedly, to a small cemetery in Kuruman and a moment of reckoning. In this final episode, Unburied follows the remains of Klaas and Trooi Pienaar, two ordinary people caught in an extraordinary story. Thanks to the disturbing decisions of Pöch’s assistant Mr. Mehnarto, their bodies — packed in barrels of salt — were preserved and labeled. Unlike the hundreds of others, their names survived. We follow the global effort to return their remains: from a conference in Vienna that turned into a reckoning, to a ceremonial reburial we are reminded why this matters: “As long as they don’t rest, we can’t rest.” Unburied is a production by ARC in partnership with Iziko Museums of South Africa. Written, produced and sound designed by Rasmus Bitsch and Neil Liddell. ARC Angel Facebook Instagram Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:31:47

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Unburied S1E3: The Swedish Curse

6/24/2025
In the 1970s, a bookish young man was sorting shelves in a dusty library in apartheid South Africa. He noticed something strange — the way books were classified looked eerily similar to the way people were categorized outside. Years later, he would link that system back to a name few in his community had heard: Carl Linnaeus. In this episode, Unburied follows the legacy of racial classification from Sweden to the Kalahari, and into the hands of Austrian anthropologist Rudolf Pöch. With insights from Nama crowned prince Samuel Dawids, anthropologist Alan Morris, historian Ciraj Rassool, and researcher Anette Hoffmann, we trace how systems of knowledge were used to rank, reduce, and collect human beings — all in the name of science. Unburied is a production by ARC in partnership with Iziko Museums of South Africa. Written, produced and sound designed by Rasmus Bitsch and Neil Liddell. ARC Angel Facebook Instagram Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:34:28

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Unburied S1E2: Voices from the Graves

6/17/2025
Inside an archive in Vienna, the grooves of old wax cylinders hold forgotten voices. These are the sonic remains of Rudolf Pöch’s expedition to the Kalahari in the early 1900s. In this episode, we follow the distorted “language samples” Pöch left behind and the people whose lives — and deaths — they documented. From the field expertise of Xhosi Tshai to the frustrated warnings of Kxara the Elder, we finally get a glimpse into a perspective other than the anthropologist’s. With historian Anette Hoffmann, we confront the limits of colonial archives by paying attention to the echoes. Unburied is a production by ARC in partnership with Iziko Museums of South Africa. Written, produced and sound designed by Rasmus Bitsch and Neil Liddell. ARC Angel Facebook Instagram Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:34:41

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Unburied S1E1: Open Graves and Humans on Display

6/11/2025
In 1908, an Austrian anthropologist rode into the Kalahari on an oxwagon and left with bones from more than 170 human beings. This episode begins our investigation into Rudolf Pöch — the man who (unwittingly or not) helped pioneer race science, the communities he studied (and exploited), and the legacy of human remains kept in museum boxes today. We follow Pöch’s trail through the red dunes of the Kalahari, to the archives of Vienna, and into the lives of those living with his legacy. Featuring interviews with community activist Brian Mienies, Rietfontein resident Willie Philander, and historians Walter Sauer and Sophie Schasiepen, this episode asks: why did Rudolf Pöch take all those bones from the Kalahari? Unburied is a production by ARC in partnership with Iziko Museums of South Africa. Written, produced and sound designed by Rasmus Bitsch and Neil Liddell. Become an ARC Angel or visit us at: ARC Facebook Instagram Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:29:53

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Unburied Season 1: Built from Bones

6/4/2025
Unburied Season 1: Built from Bones Season one of the Unburied series retraces the footsteps of Dr. Rudolf Pöch, an Austrian anthropologist who traveled through the Kalahari in the early 20th century. The series investigates how Pöch dug up graves and took the remains from more than 170 indigenous people and used the bones for race science, to justify white supremacy. Unburied seeks to understand what happened in the Kalahari and how those events have shaped the lives of the indigenous communities in the Kalahari and the world at large. Unburied is a new series by ARC coming out very soon. Subscribe now so you don't miss it. Produced in partnership with Iziko Museums of South Africa. Written, produced, and sound designed by Rasmus Bitsch and Neil Liddell. ARC-Angel Facebook Instagram Tiktok Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:01:50

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Introducing ARC

3/4/2025
We've got news: Sound Africa is becoming ARC. A new name for a new vision, but the mission stays the same. Independent, non-profit documentary storytelling. Check out: https://www.arcdocs.org/ Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:05:08

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Hustling The African Dream: EP10 - Hustle

5/22/2024
In this final episode of Hustling The African Dream we look at where the term "hustle" actually comes from, how it has evolved over time and what the term means to young Africans living their own hustle today. Hustling the African Dream is produced by Sound Africa in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation. https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/ External Media (YouTube):04.26 – Lock Stock & Two Smoking Barrels (Guy Richie) 04.44 - Nino Brown - The definition of a Hustler 07.15 - Gary Vaynerchuk 07.25 – Rick Ross, XXL 07.37 – Jay Z 07.59 – CBS News 08.03 - Greg Edwards, Wisecrack 08.12 – The Life Formula Get bonus content on Patreon Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:26:36

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Hustling The African Dream: EP09 - Bending the Rules

5/15/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode we speak to one truly remarkable young Kenyan who is bending the rules just enough to make an unjust system work for him. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation.https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/

Duration:00:17:46

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Hustling The African Dream: EP08 - Rejection

5/15/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Emmanuel Ampomah, takes us to Ghana where we hear from young people who have struggled to find a job immediately after graduating. This series has shown that having a degree isn't always a ticket to employment, and in this episode we hear firsthand that expectations about jobs… and reality… are two different things. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation.https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/ External Media (YouTube):00.41 - Vusi Thembekwayo, Keynote Speaker Speech, ALU graduationhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rh2tvk-QDM&t=2s&pp=ygU4VnVzaSBUaGVtYmVrd2F5bywgS2V5bm90ZSBTcGVha2VyIFNwZWVjaCwgQUxVIEdyYWR1YXRpb24%3D

Duration:00:26:38

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Hustling The African Dream: EP07 - Ghana Food

5/15/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Theresa Ayerigah, takes us to her home country of Ghana to see how innovative young Africans are turning food into profit. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/ External Media (YouTube) 06.04 – Newzroom Afrika 06.07 - Clive Butkow, CEO of Kalon Venture Partners, Newzroom Afirka 06.11 – Newzroom Afrika 06.18 - Andrew Darfoor, Group Chief Executive of Alexander Forbes, CNBC Africa 06.21 - Newzroom Afrika 06.24 - Newzroom Afrika

Duration:00:20:25

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Hustling The African Dream: EP06 - Malawi Motorcycle Taxis

5/7/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, James Tayali, takes us to Malawi where some young boda-boda drivers, risk their lives to make a living. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation. https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/

Duration:00:24:23

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Hustling The African Dream: EP05 - Art in Uganda

5/7/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about about innovative young Africans and their hustles and in this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Ibrahim Bahati, heads back to his home country of Uganda where art and the hustle come together in unexpected ways. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council with support from The Mastercard Foundation https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/

Duration:00:28:54

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Hustling The African Dream: EP04 - Environment Innovators in Kenya

5/7/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Anita Owiti, takes us to Kenya to see how innovative young Africans are tackling the environmental crisis and climate change. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/ External Media (YouTube):04.48 – David Ewusi-Mensah, Co-founder Eco Amet Solutions, AFRICER Project 04.59 – Gayle King, CBS News 05.07 – Malcolm Webb, Al Jazeera 05.11 - David Ewusi-Mensah, Co-founder Eco Amet Solutions, AFRICER Project 25.40 – Leah Namugerwa, Climate Activist, COP27 26.06 – Simon Stiell, UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, COP27 26.14 – Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations, COP27

Duration:00:29:07

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Hustling The African Dream: EP03 - Urban Rural Divide in South Africa

4/30/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Zimie Sigenu, goes back to the Eastern Cape of South Africa where we explore the urban-rural divide in South Africa and meet young Africans who are dealing with the harsh realities facing graduates. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation.https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/

Duration:00:26:59

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Hustling The African Dream: EP02 - Land and Gender

4/30/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Sabelo Mpisi, takes us to South Africa where land and gender dynamics are forcing some women into the hustle. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation.https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/ External media used in this episode (YouTube):02.53 - Fergal Keane, BBC Africa 02.56 - Dr Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh, Founder of the Sizwe Mpofu-Walsh Xperience 03.00 - Kiran Moodley, Channel 4 News 03.06 – VOA Africa

Duration:00:26:42

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Hustling The African Dream: EP01 - Hustling in Zimbabwe

4/30/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. In this episode Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program Alumni, Liona Muchenje, heads back to her home country of Zimbabwe where ordinary people have taken the hustle to new heights, as they try to secure theirs and their family’s futures. This podcast was produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation https://hsrc.ac.za/https://mastercardfdn.org/ External media used in this episode (YouTube):00.23 – CNA News 00.27 – John Dickerson, CBS News 00.31 – Yoon Jung-min, Arirang News 00.34 – Nate Burleson, CBS News 00.41 – Elon Musk, 2022 All In Summit

Duration:00:32:54

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Hustling The African Dream - Trailer

3/30/2024
Hustling the African Dream is a podcast about innovative young Africans and their hustles. Produced in collaboration with The Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) in partnership with The Mastercard Foundation https://hsrc.ac.za/ https://mastercardfdn.org/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Duration:00:03:11

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Arusa - A New Bride EP03

2/14/2024
In this final episode Adhel, Saree and Michael adjust to their new relationship. Credits Sound track and theme song is Arusu by Hardlife Avenue Stars Mixing and Sound Design by Neil Lidell Text and story editing by Brittany Kesselman Fact-checking by Mustapha Dumbuya Photography by David Lomuria Podcast Artwork and Design by Peace Ogwigwiyan Translations by Alith Ayer Marketing and Publicity by Didi Khumalo, Mazim Keys & Aman Amou A very special thank you to Adhel Ring, Saree and Michael Achuil Mading for making this podcast possible

Duration:00:32:32

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Arusa-A New Bride EP02

2/13/2024
In this episode we are introduced to Adhel Ring - Michael's friend who later becomes Saree's co-wife. Credits: Sound track and theme song, Arusu by Hardlife Avenue Stars Mixing and Sound Design by Neil Liddell Text and story editing by Brittany Kesselman Fact-checking by Mustapha Dumbuya Photography by David Lomuria Podcast Artwork and Design by Peace Ogwigwiyan Translations by Alith Ayer Marketing and Publicity by Didi Khumalo, Mazim Keys & Aman Amou A very special thank you to Adhel Ring, Saree and Michael Achuil Mading for making this podcast possible

Duration:00:31:19

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Arusa -A New Bride EP01

2/13/2024
In this first episode of, Arusa - A New Bride, we go back to the beginning when Michael Mading first meets his first wife Saree in California, USA. Credits Sound track and theme song is Arusu by Hardlife Avenue Stars Mixing and Sound Design by Neil Liddell Text and story editing by Brittany Kesselman Fact-checking by Mustapha Dumbuya Photography by David Lomuria Podcast Artwork and Design by Peace Ogwigwiyan Translations by Alith Ayer Marketing and Publicity by Didi Khumalo, Mazim Keys & Aman Amou A very special thank you to Adhel Ring, Saree and Michael Achuil Mading for making this podcast possible

Duration:00:20:20