Stories from Quick Reads and Mozambique
Mozambique: Death of an Iconic African Artist, Malangatana
Abena mourns the passing of the iconic Mozambican artist Malangatana: “Sadly, many Africans may be scratching their heads wondering who exactly Malangatana was. However, for those who had the humbling honour of coming up close and personal with his work, it is indeed a tragic loss.”
Lusophone collective conscience and cyberspace
“Lusophony, identity and diversity in the network” [pt] is the title of an article written by the Portuguese researcher Lourdes Macedo (republished in the blog Buala), with reflections on the contribution that “cyberspace may offer to consolidate the collective conscience of a Lusophone community. “
Lusophone countries: anti-capitalist portal, ten months on
Diário Liberdade (Daily Freedom, pt/gz), an anti-capitalist portal serving left-wing activist groups in the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia and Portuguese-speaking countries, analyses its first ten months online.
Mozambique: Anger at multinational pollution in Maputo
An aluminum smelter near Maputo owned by multinational company BHP Billiton began today a “bypass” operation. Campaigners say this means that polluting emissions from the Mozal Plant will go unfiltered for 4-5 months, near a metropolitan area of over 2 million. Blogger JPT at Ma-schamba blog [pt] called this “corporate...
Mozambique: English influencing spoken language
Mosanblog [pt] looks at how the introduction of English words is rapidly influencing colloquial Portuguese in Mozambique.
Mozambique: regulations on text messaging services
Observatório do Direito à Comunicação [pt] reports on the regulations placed on text messaging services in Mozambique, after several protests were organised via SMS during September's ‘bread riots’.
Brazil: Encounters and Dialogues on Lusophone Cultures
From 18-22 October there are “lusophone encounters and dialogues” [pt] with Portuguese language African countries at the Federal University of Ceará. The Brazilian University hosts the 3rd edition of the festival that aims to reflect about cultural influences and common identities. Follow on Twitter. @IIIFestivalUFC.
Mozambique: New media bring Mozambican crisis to the world
“This week's deadly unrest in Mozambique became a global news story in part because reporters and citizen journalists used new media and social networking tools,” Mohammed Keita reports.
Mozambique: Realtime results for Maputo
Check out Twitter realtime results regarding the crisis in Maputo, Mozambique.
Mozambique: Violence and Shooting spreads to Chimboio
Citizens reported violent demonstrations in Chimboio, in the centre of Mozambique, on the third day of the unrest. Blogger Carlos Serra questions what journalists mean when they say that the situation in now “calm”, after six people having been shot. [all links in pt]
Mozambique: When people don't have bread to eat
Following reports of riots and burning tyres and looting shops in protest of the rising bread price in Mozambique, Administrator of Development Talks blog says: “If people do not have bread to eat, something is seriously wrong in a country.”
Mozambique: Government Appeals for Calm
A Verdade [The Truth, pt] released a statement from the Government of Mozambique, appealing to citizens for calm, as the night fell after a day of unrest in the city of Maputo.
Mozambique: Discussing Culture of Work in Africa
The statement that was made by the billionaire Mo Ibrahim, during his recent visit to Mozambique, saying that “Africans don't have a culture of work”, drew a response from Rui Guerra at blog Prestigío [pt]. Blog ma-schamba [pt] goes even further with a deep reflection on the way Mozambican people...
Mozambique: Parties, citizens and state tussle over properties
In Beira, a city known for its opposition to ruling party Frelimo, a conflict has ensued over a number of houses called “neighborhood centers”. At issue is whether they are state or political party property. When police have gone to enforce controversial court orders, neighborhood dwellers have resisted, reports Carlos...
Brazil: Lusophone Countries United at the Theater Stage
For the first time in Brazil, theater groups from East Timor and Sao Tome & Principe will present plays at the FESTLIP (Festival of Portuguese Language) [pt]. The festival taking place in Rio de Janeiro, also includes plays from all the other lusophone states: Cape Verde, Mozambique, Angola, Guinea-Bissau, Portugal...
Equatorial Guinea: Portuguese as its Third Official Language
An online petition [pt] against the entry of Equatorial Guinea to the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) has been launched by Portuguese and Mozambican organizations. Brazil and São Tomé & Príncipe [pt] support President Obiang intentions. In case the country is accepted, Portuguese will become its third official language...
Mozambique: Fallout from US blacklisting
Last month, the US Treasury listed Mozambican businessman Mohamed Bachir for alleged links to drug trade, freezing some of his assets. Roughly 700 other people are listed worldwide. Bachir owns Maputo Shopping Center and is politically well connected. Blog Ma-shamba analyzes the impacts [Pt]. Rapper Azagaia recorded “Arrrrri!” in response, and has...
Mozambique: Rapper Takes a Stand on Homosexuality
In a post titled Gayism is sinful[pt], Mozambican rapper Azagaia takes a stand on homosexuality: he defends “equal rights and opportunities for all Men. (…) No matter which sexual orientation”. Though the subject is rarely discussed in the southern Africa region, there is a debate tonight about “Sexual Orientation and...
Mozambique: 35 Years of Independence
On the 35th anniversary of Mozambique's independence [en], blog Moçambique Para Todos [Mozambique For All, pt] publishes several opinion articles, reflecting upon the political situation and the economical dependency of the country as well as the conclusions of a survey related with the political decisions which were made in 1975.
Mozambique: Photos from a Literacy Project
Blog Encounters presents a collection of photos from portuguese artist Margarida Botelho, featuring a literacy project she implemented in Mozambique based on the idea that “If we can learn how to convey our life story in a book with words and illustrations perhaps we can further our awareness of whom...
Africa: Winners of Museke Online Africa Music Awards
Lizha James, Dama do Bling, Amr Diab, Ralph Anselmo and Perola emerged multiple winners of the inaugural Museke Online Africa Music Awards (MOAMAs), reports MightyAfrican.
