Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from February, 2009
DRC: Police raise revenue, but whom are they keeping safe?
In the DRC, Cedric Kalonji questions the Inspector General of the South Kivu police who, in a recent radio interview, pledged that the police were committed to raising revenue through security taxes or fees for the issue of public documents. Kalonji writes: “While killings, lootings, rapes and murders, which...
Video: Community Radios Fill the Information Gap
In a highly globalized and digitalized world, sometimes we may forget that in many regions of the world, not even electricity is available, and the possibility of using internet as an alternative information source is still a distant dream. It is in locations like Guatemala, Chad and India that community radio rises as the alternative for native communities to speak about their concerns, hear news and stories, receive information and all this in their native languages.
Uganda: Fire destroys Owino Market
A massive fire gutted Kampala's Owino Market early Wednesday morning, seriously injuring five people and destroying thousands of stalls. As many as 25,000 traders, mostly women, are estimated to have suffered losses.
Nigeria: Who You Be?: Nigeria's Bloggers Award
“Who You Be?” is the 2009 Nigeria's Bloggers Award whose nominations started February 24th and will run until March 5th. The bloggers behind the award are four female Nigerian bloggers: Sting, Toluwa, Naijagirl and Geisha (a retired blogger). Who You Be has an official blog where nominations, voting and community building will take place.
D.R of Congo: Listen to Staff Benda Bilili
Jeremy writes about Staff Benda Bilili, a group of paraplegic street musicians who live in and around the grounds of the zoo in Kinshasa, Congo.
Zimbabwe: How Mugabe Steals
Denford Magora reveals how Zimbabwean President, Robert Mugabe amassed wealth during his tenure. I promised a few days ago to share with you information from impeccable sources on just how Robert Mugabe amassed a fortune during his tenure, “Few people know that, when Mugabe travels overseas, the Chief Secretary to...
Iran: Students protesting against martyrs re-burial are jailed
Up to 70 students from the Amir Kabir University in Tehran were arrested today, Tuesday 24th of February, while protesting against the re-burial of five anonymous Iran-Iraq War martyrs in the grounds of the university. See videos of the protest and the first reactions on the blogosphere.
Nigeria: Naijoo: Nigeria's Own Video Sharing Site
Nigeria has its own video sharing site, writes Loy at Startups Nigeria, “If you watch videos from Yahoo! TV, you’re probably going to enjoy Naija’s own video sharing community called Naijoo.Tv, an online video sharing site that allows you to upload, view and share video clips. When I first heard...
Kenya: Police harassment of activists
Kenyan Pundit reacts to reports about police harassment of activists, “The report is disturbing to say the very least, not just because it shows you just how paranoid and oppressive this government is becoming, but also because it gives some insight into how the extra-judicial killings that have been in...
Sudan: Mourning a Great Novelist and Musings on the ICC
After a long absence, a number of fascinating Sudanese bloggers, return to the blogosphere to rant, share their thoughts on recent events and vent. They're included in this roundup along with the usual suspects. After a frustrated rant about Khartoum International Airport's unhygienic condition, Sudanese Optimist mourned the passing of the respected and well-known Sudanese novelist, Al-Tayeb Saleh.
D.R. Congo: Chimps are Not Pets
The mainstream media is abuzz with news of a 15-year old 200 pound (90kg) chimpanzee that attacked a woman in Stamford, Connecticut, USA. The Ape, which had starred in TV commercials and films had attacked and left the woman, a friend of his owner, in a ‘very serious’ state. Biologists...
Nigeria: Listen To Naija Lingo
Naija Lingo has just released a new feature that allows visitors to listen to the pronunciation of words on the word page. Visitors can also upload their own recordings!
Africa: Blogging About Startups, Innovation and Entrepreneurship
If your main source of news and information about Africa is the mainstream media, then you are less likely to know about groundbreaking innovation and entrepreneurship that is taking place on the continent. Thanks to citizen journalists who regularly blog about startups and entrepreneurship in Africa. In this short post, we are listing major blogs, which review, analyse, and promote startups, entrepreneurship and innovation on the African continent. Some of them are only focused on startups while others cover different topics as well.
Zambia: When Will Zambians Be Proud To Be Zambians?
According to Mingell, blogging at Lusaka Times, Zambians are not proud of being Zambians. Why? Read his post to find out the reasons.
Kenya: WhereCampAfrica To Take Place In Nairobi
WhereCampAfrica is a free unconference for geographers, mobile location experts and social cartographers. The event will be held in Nairobi, Kenya on April 4th.
Global Health: Mobile Phones to Boost Healthcare
Three foundations have joined forces in an effort to provide better healthcare through the use of cell phones and computer technology. In particular, these mobile technology initiatives are aimed at improving healthcare services in developing countries. Cell phones are currently being used for health services ranging from HIV/AIDS education to...
Ghana: Ghana's Most Powerful Women
David Ajao lists Ghana's most powerful women, “The Fourth Republic of Ghana is historical for many reasons. It has more women in higher public office than it has ever had, in its 51 years as an independent nation. This post highlights some of the women at the height of power.”
Zimbabwe: Marechera's Love Sonnets
EShuneutics discusses Marechera's Love Sonnets. Dambudzo was a Zimbabwean writer and poet, “Poem III in the Amelia Sonnets, is titled “Her hand my eyes closes”. The closing of the eyes is a familiar image of death, one of the final acts offered to the corpse. The irony here, however, is...
Kenya: Google SMS Search In Kenya
Kenyans using Safaricom services can now use Google SMS Search, “Google SMS Search provides access to information through a mobile phone without needing to access the Internet. You simply create an SMS message about what you are looking for and send it to the Google SMS short code (4664 or...
Madagascar: A Resolution to the political crisis?
In Madagascar, bloggers react to a recent meeting where rivals President Marc Ravalomanana and Andry Rajoelina agreed to a political truce, paving the way for further negotiations. Weeks of public protests and violent crackdowns have left dozens dead.
DRC: When it rains in Kinshasa
Cedric Kalonji describes Kinshasa after a heavy rain [FR]. The roads turn into lakes, but “high up in their 4x4s, the authorities are untouched by the problem, the result being that there is almost no support for making storm sewers or gutters.”
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