Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from August, 2014
Outspoken Mozambican Hip-Hop Artist Azagaia Is Appealing to Fans for Donations to Remove His Brain Tumour
Edson da Luz, better known as Azagaia, has won fans for challenging those in power and addressing social issues in his music.
Shame and Outrage in Algeria After Cameroon Footballer Albert Ebossé Is Killed by an Object Tossed from the Stands
"No desire to resume the league after the death of #Ebosse! #Disgusted. Our lives are worth more than this rubbish."
Locusts Invade Madagascar's Capital City
#valala pic.twitter.com/YHzOx5Q8QU — Vaintche Rahouli (@vincraholi) August 28, 2014 Twitter and Facebook users from Madagascar's capital city, Antananarivo, have posted several photos of locusts invading the city. Locust invasions are not unusual in Madagascar, especially after tropical storms, but they are very uncommon in larger cities. Locusts can have a...
Ebola Scare: Trapped on the Cameroon/Nigeria Border for Over 40 Hours
On August 19, 2014, the Republic of Cameroon closed its borders with Nigeria in a bid to halt the spread of the Ebola virus. However, the government made this decision without giving enough thought to the thousands of travelers – mostly Cameroonian citizens and Nigerians resident in Cameroon – caught...
Cameroonian Striker Albert Ebossé's Death in Algeria Raises Questions About Stadium Security
The footballing world is in a state of shock following the death of 24-year-old Ebossé, killed by a projectile thrown from the stands after a match.
Nigeria Successfully Curtails Ebola to One Patient
"As I speak to you Nigeria has only one case of Ebola virus." - Onyebuchi Chukwu, Nigeria's Minister of Health
An Entrepreneur Rewarded for his Innovative Healthcare Work in Cameroon
The prize of Man of the Decade was awarded to Dr. Clément PETSOKO, for his capacity to overcome the numerous difficulties he has faced in recent years.
African Ebola Survivors Share Their Stories of Recovery and Stigma
"Thank god for the doctors. They gave me a certificate that indicates I am free of Ebola in case anyone would still doubt."
Is Zambia’s President Sata Working Quietly Behind the Scenes or Seriously Ill?
Zambia's President Michael Sata has not been seen in public since May. Many are speculating that the former publicity-loving politician is ailing.
Digital Media Guru Headlines Highway Africa 2014
Highway Africa organisers have announced that Dan Gilmor will be the keynote speaker for the 18th edition of the conference which takes place from 7-8 September, 2014 in at Rhodes University, South Africa: The theme of the conference is Social Media – from the margins to the mainstream and Gillmor,...
Google Docs in Amharic: A Security Tool for Ethiopian Bloggers
Cyber Ethiopia explains why Google Docs in Amharic is an important internet security tool for Ethiopian bloggers and how to enable it: The Ethiopian government uses many methods to spy on bloggers, but by far the most invasive involves the covert installation of malware on their computers, which captures keystrokes,...
The Heroic Everyday Work of Lab Scientists in the Fight Against Ebola in Liberia
During the current crisis of the Ebola virus disease (EVD), many reports showcased stories about patients, medical staff, vaccines and the consequences of the disease on the affected countries. But rare are the reports about the daily work of laboratory technicians and of those who care for their daily needs. In...
Movement Calls for Review of Imprisonment of Cameroon's Former Chief of Staff
Marafa Watch is: A U.S.-based, grassroots movement for appropriate international review of the politically motivated conviction and corresponding imprisonment of former Secretary-General (Chief of Staff) at the Presidency, Mr. Marafa Hamidou Yaya of the Republic of Cameroon. Marafa Hamidou Yaya was sentenced to 25 years in jail in 2012 on...
Clashes After an Attempted Theft of 450 Cattle Leaves 15 Dead in Madagascar
#LeMonde #Afropages Madagascar : des affrontements entre voleurs de zébus et gendar… http://t.co/S0hKDuSvKJ pic.twitter.com/GbzjNjCTzz — Afropages (@Afropages) August 18, 2014 Armed forces and dahalos (highwaymen in Malagasy) clashed in Amboasary Sud in the southern region of Madagascar on Aug. 15 over a theft of humped cattle (Zebus), a type of domestic cattle with...
Deadly Diseases, Violent Conflicts and White Saviors: Hollywood's Skewed Portrayal of Africa
The film "Outbreak" about a fictional Ebola-like virus hit theaters nearly 20 years ago. Has Hollywood's perception of Africa evolved since then?
Bridging the Digital Divide? Facebook and Telcos Bring Free Apps to Zambia
The industry partnership provides subscribers with access to select sites and services -- and requires users to create a Facebook account.
Should Women Starve Their Babies for Fear of Public Breastfeeding?
Olivia Kidula explains why breastfeeding in public should not stop: A friend of mine recently gave birth to her first baby girl and is still getting the hang of motherhood. I began to notice she breastfeeds only when no men (besides her husband or father are around) and when she...
Zed Blog Social Media Awards
Zed Blog Social Media Awards identify and celebrate the best in blogging and social media in Zambia: Meet our Judges| Bwalya Chileya or @MissBwalya as she is known by most is founder of the twitter based chats ‘Insaka’ which can be described as targeted at discussing cultural and societal issues...
12 Deaths and 27,000 Displaced Nigeriens Because of Floods
Heavy rains and flooding in Niger have killed 12 people and left thousands without homes. Rivers in Niamey and the extended regions have risen and destroyed thousands of houses. In the region, land degradation and cultivation of marginal land increase the risk that extreme events can develop into natural disasters. Some solutions...
Video: Listen to Nairobi Coffee Shop Entrepreneur
Meet Peter Owiti, coffee shop entrepreneur in Nairobi, Kenya: The story of Peter Owiti, the brains behind Pete’s Coffee shop, speaks volumes of the great deal of effort that is spent when setting up a successful business. In the brief video below, Pete, who is a father of three, talks...
An American Bluegrass Band Woos Nigerian Audiences With Their Rendition of P-Square's Chop My Money
How did a Chicago bluegrass band that plays bars and festivals in the U.S. find itself performing in the living room of the US deputy consul in Abuja, Nigeria?