By BigEyeUg Team
Ugandan-born, American journalist Shaka Ssali (Kid from Kabale – Uganda) has officially retired from Voice of America.
Shaka Ssali’s reign at Voice of America comes to an end after 29 years and 20 years at the helm of the popular political and humanitarian talk show dubbed ‘Straight Talk Africa’.
Ndugu Shaka Ssali
In the show, Shaka has been interviewing and hosting many top African dignitaries like presidents among others.
He is also famously recalled for hosting the Ugandan Presidential debate in 2016 at Kampala Serena Hotel, which was the first-ever in the history of the country.
“After 29 years at the Voice of America and 20 years at the helm of Straight Talk Africa, Shaka Ssali is retiring,” reads a statement from Voice of America.
In his last show earlier this week, Shaka introduced the new host of Straight Talk Africa, Haydé Adams.
Haydé talked about her career and her vision for a new venture into the ‘Straight Talk Africa’ show.
Haydé Adams
In the same show, Shaka bided farewell as his colleagues at the VOA, fans from the continent shared memories and fascinating experiences he delivered at the show.
He also talked about his life and career and his plans following his retirement.
Haydé is from Cape Town, South Africa and has extensively covered political and social realities on the continent for local and international media.
Most recently, she was co-host of VOA’s ‘Our Voices’.
Born real names, Ndugu Shaka Ssali in Uganda, Shaka is an American journalist who has worked for the Voice of America for over 23 years.
He has been the managing editor of Voice of America’s English to Africa service and the host of “Straight Talk Africa.”
Shaka and his guests have been discussing topics of interest to Africans and the African diaspora including politics, good governance, rule of law, economic development, press freedom, health, social issues, climate, and conflict resolution.
He holds a doctorate in cross cultural communication and history from UCLA in California.
He is a former Ford Foundation Fellow and has received numerous honors, including a United Nations Peacekeeping Special Achievement Award in International Journalism.
Other awards include VOA’s Best Journalist Award and Kigezi College Butobere’s first ever Highest Achievement Award in International Human Communication. Butobere is located in Kabale, southwestern Uganda, and is Shaka’s alma mater.
Straight Talk Africa is broadcast live every Wednesday from 1830-1930 UTC/GMT simultaneously on radio, television and the Internet.
We will keep you posted