The Comb

“This is a diamond!”: In 2017, two young miners, Komba and Saffea, struck gold. They uncovered a huge 709 carat diamond - the ‘Peace Diamond' - worth millions of dollars, in Sierra Leone. It was a dream come true for them both. They were rich beyond their wildest dreams. And then, their dream began to unravel. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com Produced by Mary Goodhart

“I was losing myself”: When Mbali was introduced to a new church through a bible study group she was excited at the prospect of finding a new religious community. But as she became more involved with the church, she began questioning some of their unusual teachings and approaches. It left her asking the question ‘Am I in a cult?' Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Accusations, imprisonment, and vindication: The lie that changed Ishmail's life, taking away his freedom, and breaking up his family in Malawi. Nearly 20 years later, Ishmail reflects on the painful reality of being falsely accused. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com Produced by Mary Goodhart

“My dad beat me.” How the physical punishment of a child changed the lives of a Nigerian family forever. Behaviour which was the norm for a mother who grew up in Nigeria was treated as assault in the UK. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘Dadaab is a prison': Making a life in Africa's largest refugee camp. When Anab and Mark came to Dadaab as refugees fleeing conflict, they thought the camp would be a temporary shelter. Three decades on, they are now both raising their families in the camp with no hope of relocation and no home to return to. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com Produced by Aisha Afrah

A different kind of faith: Navigating life as a non-believer in a highly religious society can be deeply lonely. Leo and Balm both found community and belonging in Humanism - a form of atheism which strives for a life of meaning and purpose anchored in the strength of humankind. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com Produced by Mary Goodhart

Ethiopians on social media have been dealing with a wave of violent and graphic content in recent years. Multiple conflicts have seen violent pictures and videos regularly shared online, often alongside threats, hate speech, or disinformation. For Moti, this hit close to home in a devastating way when his father was the target of a political killing, and pictures of his dead body were posted on social media. Rehobot also shares her experience of combating this online hate through fact-checking, but how exposing herself to so much violent content eventually impacted her mental health. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘She's not my baby': How giving birth triggered a woman's mental health crisis, leaving her desperate, delusional and detached from reality. Chebet found herself on a journey of illness and recovery, after her ‘baby blues' morphed into something much darker. How do women embrace motherhood after postpartum psychosis? Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Ready to run: Aisha's story of a childhood shaped by conflict in Somalia, and her complicated journey to finding herself and finding peace. How do you navigate a normal life after a childhood of “chaos and conflict”? Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Unmasking online hate: How the courage of a domestic abuse survivor won her an unlikely alliance in the fight against misogyny and gender-based violence in Namibia. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Righting an historic wrong: How a quest to reclaim a sacred statue, taken from the Nso community 120 years earlier, led Vernyuy on an emotional journey to reconnect with her Cameroonian roots – and resolve a crisis of identity. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Unpicking stories that matter to you. The Comb returns on 13 January 2023 Here's a peak at some of our upcoming stories #TheComb

“I was trapped in my own skin”: The illegal trade which preys on prejudice. How skin colour discrimination is still exploited with harmful black market products. Ellen's skin bleaching nightmare had a devastating impact on her - both physically and mentally. And the prejudice which drives many to take drastic measures hasn't gone away. Mercy tells how her dark skinned daughter wants to look like Elsa, a white Disney princess. So why does she want her skin to be ‘peach' not ‘black'? Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘I was scared of the night': When Vasco's parents died in a car accident, his childhood was transformed into a struggle to survive. He started as a young child sleeping at his father's grave, but ended up in a spiral of gangland crime and violence on the streets. Why are more children in Zambia ending up on the streets? Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘I would have been lost': When Mutuna was orphaned at a young age, his extended family stepped in to help. Now as an adult, he sees more and more children begging on the streets, and wonders how their lives ended up differently Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

How a rower's victory became a symbol of hope in post-apartheid South Africa. Sizwe Ndlovu became the first black African to win an Olympic rowing gold. Sizwe says that day changed the rest of his life. This is a guest episode from the World Service show, On The Podium, which brings you the stories behind the medals, originally released on 30 June 2021. The second season of On the Podium begins 18 June 2022. Search for On The Podium wherever you found this podcast.

Misinformation and miracle cures: After being diagnosed with breast cancer, Grace Ajuma Gift was told about many different treatments and cures which ranged from herbal remedies to starch-free diets - Grace tried many of them. The misleading advice she received may have cost Grace her life. A Kenyan oncologist talks about the prevalence and perils of cancer misinformation. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘I ran away': For many years, Brahim and Maymouna were enslaved. They were born into Mauritania's slave caste - the Haratin and denied their liberty, even though slavery has been officially banned. It was only when Brahim was a teenager that he gradually began to question and resist his circumstances. From an early age, Maymouna's life revolved around serving a master who treated her badly. Maymouna eventually escaped and has started to build a new life for herself. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Making the invisible visible: After her father was abducted and killed in the Gambia, Nana-Jo Ndow, and her cousin Sirra started an organisation to raise awareness of the issue and set up a memorialisation centre. Now, survivors are starting to heal by sharing their stories and young people can learn about human rights. It's usually men who are forcibly disappeared during dictatorships but women who are left behind to try to pick up the pieces - and they often risk their lives searching for answers. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘I can't just go down like this': As a young entrepreneur, Eve Kibare had big dreams of growing her business and travelling the world but that all changed when she lost her sight. Now she is on a journey of adjustment and relearning, determined to live life on her own terms. And Eve shares her experiences on social media Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘There were no locals at all': Reckoning with race, history and access in Kenya's tourism industry. For much of his career as a tour guide in Kenya, Felix Migoya would have clients from the United States and Europe but no Kenyans. Safari was seen as the preserve of white people, a ‘mzungu affair'. Alex Kamau is part of a new generation of young Kenyans who are reimagining what it means to explore and enjoy the country's natural heritage on their own terms. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘Slow down and struggle less': Never-ending hustle, changing city spaces and the lure of the countryside. More people seem to be talking about moving out of Nairobi, to a simpler way of life. Mugambi is at a crossroads, deciding if it's time to move, while Leslie and her family are already building their dream home in the hills. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘Fly bird, fly': An episode from BBC World Service podcast ‘Dear Daughter', with Namulanta Kombo, winner of the BBC's International Podcast Competition 2021. Your letters to your daughters. Search for Dear Daughter wherever you find your podcasts. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think.

‘African fathers don't talk about it': When Duncan's son Luka was diagnosed with autism, Duncan knew very little about the condition. His journey to better understand the condition would lead him to reimagine what it means to be a father and to create a space for fathers with children who have special needs. For Richard, learning about his son's non-verbal autism has reshaped his approach to fatherhood and life. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Discovery and recovery: The journeys of two Kenyan women navigating trauma and social expectations to reach sexual empowerment. Kaz Lucas broke new ground in Kenya with candid conversations defying age-old taboos around sex on her podcast ‘The Spread', while Lucy fought to reclaim ownership of her sexual identity as a survivor of FGM. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

“We all have to learn how to cry”: Takunda considered his father to be invincible like Superman but after contracting Covid, Takunda's father died suddenly. Two years on, Takunda is still reeling from the loss and the inability to mourn properly. Ami Dokli is a professional mourner from Ghana. She attends funerals on behalf of strangers to support their families and to help them cry. Exploring the process of grief and grieving through the eyes of Ami and Takunda. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Our weapon is our nakedness: Exploring the meaning and history of women drawing on the power of the feminine form. Stella Nyanzi has become well known for her radical nude protests in Uganda, and Naminata Diabate has written about the phenomenon after witnessing the power of naked threats in Côte D'Ivoire. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

We're back on 26 March unpicking more stories that matter, including some special episodes from in and around Nairobi. Here's a sneak preview of what's to come!

Spicy food and stereotypes: When Tuvie, who is Nigerian met Colombe, who is Rwandan - sparks flew. It marked the start of an ongoing conversation about everything from surnames to seasoning. Busayo had never travelled outside of Nigeria when she first arrived in China. Seven years later Busayo has learnt to navigate the cultural challenges and opportunities that come with living in a different country. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘She was not going to keep quiet'': Fikile Ntshangase was one of 227 environmental defenders killed in 2020, after she opposed the expansion of a coal mine in her home area. As the battle against climate change grows more intense, defending the environment is an increasingly dangerous role. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Death threats and exile: Local environmental defenders are the front line of the climate crisis - protecting the land they live on when it's threatened by powerful business interests. But as the battle against climate change grows more intense, it's becoming an increasingly dangerous role. Global Witness recorded 227 killings of land and environmental defenders around the world in 2020, including 18 in Africa. Alfred Brownell is an environmental lawyer and activist and was forced to flee his home in Liberia for his own safety, after mounting threats from people opposed to his work. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘The fire has gone out': African evangelists are working to revitalise Christianity in Europe, a continent that is increasingly turning away from religion. Harvey Kwiyani grew up in Malawi, where church was central to daily life. It was only after he left for Switzerland that he realised how different the religious landscape was in Europe. He's part of a new generation of African missionaries trying to bring God back to Europe. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Grief without closure: Tens of thousands of families in Africa live with the agony of a missing loved one. Kenny Chikonka disappeared without trace nearly 30 years ago. His family have been searching for answers ever since. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

“He just starts touching me”: The grim and lonely reality of sexual harassment in the workplace, through the eyes of two women in Kenya. As an intern, Lupita* was excited to start a new role but she quickly had to come to terms with unwelcome sexual advances. Sofia Rajab wanted to find a way to shatter the silence around sexual harassment within the legal profession. Her solution? Dear Law - a podcast that takes a frank look at the issue. This episode includes discussions about sexual harrassment, including women candidly discussing their experiences. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Unpicking stories that matter to you. The Comb returns on 28 January 2022

Scams, hustles, and cyber fraud: What happens when you think you've struck gold, only to lose it all? Cryptocurrencies are on the rise in Africa, but as more people get on board, cyber criminals smell an opportunity. Vivienne and Daniel both thought they were making sensible investments for their families. But hope and excitement turned to devastation when they learned they had handed their savings to scammers. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘I am African first': Exploring race and identity for South Africans of Indian descent. Karnie Sharp has spent years discussing the complex crisis of identity that many feel in modern South Africa. In the wake of rising tensions between communities, and vitriolic statements from some political leaders, how can people from different backgrounds build bridges with their fellow citizens? Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

‘The evil you have done is enough': One year after the EndSARS protests, some young Nigerians say they no longer recognise their country and are choosing to leave. Olivia, Tolu and Benjamin contemplate joining their friends who are now scattered across the world. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Lurking in the lake: What's driving hippos to attack and kill fishermen on Lake Naivasha? As climate change alters our planet, animals and humans are coming into conflict, competing over the same diminishing natural resources. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

The vendor who changed Malawi: Mayeso Gwanda took the state to court after his arrest for an outdated and vague petty crime. While he was successful in changing the law, the African Union is calling for more to be done. Enforcing these sorts of minor offences leads to lifelong consequences for the continent's most poor and vulnerable people. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

What happened to the class of 2020? We're catching up with The Comb's first ever guests - students whose studies were disrupted by Covid-19. Have their dreams and ambitions weathered the challenges of the global pandemic? Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com

Young, educated and broke: almost a year since Kananelo left university in South Africa, she has been struggling to find work. Kananelo is part of a generation of graduates who find themselves unemployed and living with their parents. After struggling to find a suitable job in Nigeria, Agu Raphael Chibuke decided to strike out on his own. He now juggles numerous freelance roles and says young people are no longer waiting on the government when it comes to finding work. Thanks for listening. Let us know what you think. #TheComb Get in touch: thecomb@bbc.com