Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from July, 2012
Tanzania: ‘Don't Drown’ SMS-Based Maritime Early Warning System
"Tanzania has few if any rivals for numbers of boat deaths over the last couple of decades," says the founder of Usizame, Rachel Hamada. Usizame is a free SMS-based ferry check-in and alert system designed to help prevent marine accidents in Tanzania.
Democratic Republic of Congo: Rwanda Accused in North Kivu Violence
Since April 2012, North Kivu province in the eastern Congo has been destabilised by the March 23 movement (M23), comprised of fighters from the Tutsi-led National Congress for the Defence of the People (CNDP). M23 continues to cause enormous loss of life and massive population displacement within the province.
Angola: Citizens Demand Transparent Electoral Campaign
Angola's civil society is urging more transparency [pt] on the preparation of the coming general elections scheduled for August 31, 2012. One of the initiatives recently launched is an online petition [pt] demanding the parties leaders to take part of live debates on TV.
Tanzania: Newspaper Shut Down by Government
On 30 July, the government of Tanzania banned indefinitely a popular weekly investigative newspaper called Mwanahalisi. Tanzanians received the news with great astonishment, although the same newspaper was previously banned for three months in 2008.
Togo: Preacher Transports 4.2 kg of Cocaine Hidden in Lollipops to Build Church
Togolese Preacher Woegna Yao Koufoualesse was caught at the Accra International Airport with 4.2 kg of Cocaine in a flight from Sao Paulo, Afrique Infos reports [fr]. The drugs were hidden inside caramel lollipops; Koufoualesse argued that he did not know about the cocaine and that the lollipops were to be sold to help...
Guinea: The Plight of Guineans Students in Syria
Kante Taliby writes on Guinée News about the plight of Guinean students in Syria [fr] : “I am a Guinean student on scholarship in Syria and I am married with one child. My wife, my child and I have not had a proper meal for almost a week now, and...
South Africa: Celebrating First Gold Medal in 8 Years
Congratulations have been pouring in for South African swimmer Cameron van der Burgh who picked up South Africa's first gold medal after the country's dismal failures at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. He is also South Africa's first male swimming Olympic gold medalist.
Ethiopia: Messages of Solidarity from Christians for Muslims
Messages of unity from Ethiopian Christians have gone viral in the Ethiopian digital public as Ethiopian Muslims persistently kept their peaceful protest in a bid to end government’s meddling in their religious affairs. A multitude of Christians have changed their Facebook status by announcing their allegiance with Ethiopian Muslims.
Mauritania: Diplomat Sets Himself Alight
A few minutes before Iftar, Hassan Ould Abba, a Mauritanian diplomat who used to work as an advisor at the Mauritanian Embassy in Kuwait, set himself alight in the district of Ksar, North of the Mauritanian capital, Nouakchott. An ambulance rushed to rescue him, but he passed away upon arrival at hospital. Ahmed Ould Jedou summarizes online reactions.
Nigeria: Senate President Calls for Social Media Censorship
The President of Nigeria's Senate, David Mark, recently advocated clamping down on social media in the country arguing that there was no opportunity for retraction of information in such media. Many netizens perceive his comments as a declaration of battle on the Nigerian web.
Africa: Contemporary African Artistry Online
Usanii Afrika is a blog that showcases contemporary African artistry: “Usanii Afrika (meaning Artistry Africa in Swahili) is a blog born out of passion. Innately creative herself, blogger, Kirsty Macdonald has had a life long love affair with the arts and self expression.”
Africa: Speaking My Language
Read Ngugi wa Thiong’o's address at the 2012 Sunday Times Literary Awards in South Africa: “One of the basic, most fundamental means of individual and communal self realization is language. That’s why the right to language is a human right, like all the other rights, enshrined in the constitution. It’s...
Zambia: Pupils Expelled For Facebook Activities
Twenty one pupils at a secondary school in rural western Zambia have been expelled over vile messages against their teachers on Facebook. Meanwhile, ruling party boss wants Zambian citizen news website shut.
Nigeria: Rediscovering the ‘Osun-Oshogbo’ Sacred Groove
Train locals on the use of social media tools and they will tell their own stories, posits a Nigerian documentary producer Immanuel Afolabi while talking about his journey to the Osogbo Sacred Groove and the role of social media in reviving dying or invisible African religious practices.
Mali: Athletes Go to London Olympics With Heads Held High
"We will definitely be in London and our goal is to prove to the whole world that in spite of our struggles, our country is still standing." - Malian National Olympic Committee President
London Olympics: Ambush Marketers Be Warned!
The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) has taken stringent measures to try to ensure no ‘ambush marketing’ tactics are used during the London 2012 Olympics. A common feature at modern major sporting events, ambush marketers try to sneak in promotions of their brands and companies in front of the crowd and, most importantly, the TV cameras. Sports law bloggers and marketers posted their opinions on ambush marketing and the London Olympics.
Brazil: Deported Activist Returns to Denounce Mining Company Vale
Jeremias Vunjanhe, a Mozambican journalist and activist, was prevented from entering Brazil during Rio+20. After civil society movements and organisations mobilised, Jeremias returned to the country to denounce the actions of the Brazilian company Vale.
Kenya: Schoolgirl Skirts-How Short is Too Short?
Kenyan Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo defense of schoolgirls who want the length of their skirts reduced has sparked a debate about culture, modernity and morality in Kenya. Kenyan media quoted the minister saying, "These girls do not want to be nuns; they want to be modern like Mutula!"
Ghana: President's Death Trends on Ghanaian Twittersphere
Ghanaian President John Atta Mills died on July 24, 2012. Ghanaians took to Twitter to express their shock and sadness. Tweets of the President’s death hit the social media site before many of the media houses officially confirmed it.
Madagascar: Three Soldiers Killed During Uprising in Military Barracks
Three soldiers were killed and four injured during a confrontation at Ivato barracks, Madagascar on Sunday July 22, 2012. This revolt took place shortly before a meeting between the interim leader Andry Rajoelina and ex-president Marc Ravalomananana, scheduled for July 24 in the Seychelles. This latest incident follows a pattern all too familiar to Malgasians as they ask themselves who benefits from the unrest that occurs before each attempt at mediation.
Kenya: Javelin Throwing Olympian Trains Using YouTube
There is something special about Kenyan javelin thrower Julius Yego who will represent Kenya during the London Olympics. Yego turned to social media for guidance. After using YouTube to hone his skills and techniques, Yego's record improved to 81.12 metres.
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