Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from June, 2009
South Africa: To vuvuzela or not to vuvuzela?
Discussions about the popular instrument called the vuvuzela blown by South African football fans have dominated the blogosphere since the beginning of Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa, which ended last week. Journalists, TV viewers, coaches and some foreign players called for a ban of the instrument during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The debate is as loud as the instrument itself.
Ghana: New Media in the Hands of Young Ghanaians
Operated by young people, for young people, YPWC exploits new media to create links with like-minded individuals and organisations around the world to enhance opportunities for young people here in Ghana.
Africa: Bloggers pay tribute to Michael Jackson
In Africa, bloggers are paying tribute to Michael Jackson after his recent death by posting pictures, music videos, poetry and reflections. "RIP MJ," writes Kenyan blogger WildeYearnings. "You now have the whole sky to moonwalk on..."
Eritrea: Owner of Asmarino.com receives award
Tesfaldet A. Meharenna owner of Asmarino .com received an award in recognition of his outstanding achievement and excellent services at the recent Eritrean Global Solidarity symposium in Washington D.C.
Liberia: Interruption brought to you by really cute kids
This interruption is brought to you by the department of really, really cute kids from Liberia!
Kenya: The plight of gays and lesbians in Kenya
As much as Nairobi is described as one of the more cosmopolitan cities in Africa where a lot of homosexuals find solace, homophobia is widespread. Kenyan bloggers discuss how homosexuals are named and shamed all over the Internet.
Nigeria: Good days with Nigerian telecoms sector are over
Jeremy discusses the latest trends in the telecoms sector in Nigeria: “The Nigerian telecoms sector has finally hit market forces and the mathematic of where supply and demand cross at a competitive pricing point.”
Kenya: The politics of Mass Male Circumcision
HIV Kenya discusses the politics of “Mass Male Circumcision“: It seems like a short time since the issue of mass male circumcision (MMC) became a political football and it is not even the latest issue to have that status any more. But articles about it still appear every now and...
Kenya: Why the Daily Nation beats the East African Standard
FortySouth explains the Daily Nation of Kenya beats the East African Standard: “Yes, they do, within the context of respective online presence, at the very least: Note that it was in June ‘08 that Nation moved their content from www.nationmedia.com (now the host of their corporate brands) to www.nation.co.ke. So...
Russia, Nigeria: Nigaz
Eternal Remont writes that “Gazprom has created a joint venture with Nigeria's state-owned NNPC gas company” and that the new company's name is Nigaz. License Plate Poetry has a poem on this – “But no, my dear, Russia is not racist” (via @jilliancyork).
Angola: New highway code in action
Discussions around the changes brought by the new Angolan highway code have been taking place on the blogosphere and divided society. On one hand, the new code is seen as good because it will educate careless drivers, but some argue that the legislation contains costs that not everyone is able to meet.
Togo Abolishes Death Penalty
Togo's National Assembly voted on Tuesday to end the death penalty for all crimes, making it the 15th member of the African Union to abolish capital punishment.
Malawi: Reactions to Madonna's adoption of Chifundo
For some who never knew Malawi, they have gotten to hear about the country in Africa purely because of Madonna whose full name is not known to many. It appears that the generally many Malawians are happy that Madonna is able to adopt needy children from Malawi in spite of the fears of what this trend may create.
Metropolis TV and Hivos: Independent People Videos
Metropolis TV is a Hivos and VPRO TV project based in the Netherlands, which brings together film-makers and civil video journalists from all over the world to record and transmit different aspects of life and culture in their homeland. Following, a few videos selected and played on the Netherlands TV station VPRO forWorld Humanist Day around a specific subject: to recognize individuals who live under the ideal of independence and being in control of their own lives.
Nigeria: Government launches attack against bloggers
Sokari Ekine writes about the plan by the Nigerian government to launch attacks against bloggers and online news media such as Sahara Reporter.
Tanzania: Blogger arrested for publishing manipulated images of the president
The alleged owner and blogger of the blog Ze Utamu (zeutamu.com) has been arrested in Tanzania. The alleged arrest has been in discussed at Jamii Forum, a popular Tanzanian Online Forum, since yesterday. And today, Swahili Time has posted the news along with a picture of the arrested blogger, Malecela...
South Africa: Bafana needed Bernard Parker
The Supersport commentator and blogger, Mlambo, writes about the Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa: “The new no 17 Bernard Parker’s 20th minute goal and 12 minutes later dazzling run and shot that required Glen Moss to pull out his best save of the evening was just what I, millions...
Malawi: Malawians are not fools
Kondwani tells the British media that Malawians are not fools: “We are not a foolish people and niether do we spend time hero worship a human being. Malawi is a God fearinf[g] country, ranked number two in Africa as the most peaceful country and by the Economic Intelligence Unit as...
Kenyans Race to Get Furadan Banned
Kenyan conservationists are making gains in their push to have Furadan, a carbofuran-based pesticide that has so far caused the death of 76 lions, banned in the country. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Naivasha Constituency, Honourable John Mututho, has now joined the call for a total ban on this...
South Africa celebrates Youth Day and remembers the past
June 16, which is now referred to as Youth Day here in South Africa is day when we remember the past. On June 16, 1976 the Soweto uprising occurred sparked by laws that would force all education to be delivered in Afrikaans.
Eritrea: Analysing Asmara
Eritreans have always found it difficult to differentiate ‘freedom’ with the politically overloaded word ‘independence’, writes Gabriel Guangul.
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