· September, 2008

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from September, 2008

Ghana: Using party colors in social functions

  26 September 2008

Is it appropriate to use colors of Ghana's political parties in social functions?: “The Brong-Ahafo Regional Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Seth Charles Oteng, on Thursday expressed concern about the organisation of social functions under politically coloured atmosphere.”

Ripples of the China Milk Scandal in Africa

  26 September 2008

In China, an estimated 13,000 children have fallen ill since the tainted milk scandal broke. Chinese influence has grown in Africa in recent years, as have imports of all kinds products, from running shoes to instant noodles. Bloggers as far afield as Congo and Senegal, concerned about the safety of Chinese products in their countries, are closely following the story.

Jamaica, Senegal: Wife Beater

  25 September 2008

“The worse it gets for Bara, the worse it gets for his wife”: Jamaican diaspora blogger Stet tells the story of a wife beater in Senegal.

Lusosphere: Saramago, 85 years, Nobel Laureate, Blogger

  24 September 2008

A week ago, the 1998 Nobel Prize winner for literature - the first and only Portuguese language writer - started his own blog: Saramago's Notebook, which he describes as his "infinite page on the Internet", has been welcomed by bloggers from many Portuguese speaking countries. But what does it take to become a blogger?

Liberia: Update from Liberia's Truth and Reconciliation Commission

  24 September 2008

An update from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in Liberia: “A witness told commissioners of Liberia’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) grisly accounts of how fighters of the defunct ULIMO-K faction slaughtered and ate eight civilians in 1993 in Lofa County.”

Madagascar: My blog and I

  24 September 2008

Andry is a new blogger from Madagascar. He describes himself as “the cyber observer”: “My name is Andry Rakotoniaina Andriatahiana and I am Malagasy. I am a lawyer, more specifically I work as a legal counsel for an International business and taxation law firm located in Antananarivo, capital of Madagascar.”

Madagascar: All along the street

  24 September 2008

Dago Tiako describes street activities in Madagascar: “Suddenly, you notice lots of people making a circle. You think there must be an accident. You come nearer to se what’s going on. In the middle of the circle, there is a man almost nude (he is wearing only a little pair...

Madagascar: All along the street

  24 September 2008

Dago Tiako describes street activities in Madagascar: “Suddenly, you notice lots of people making a circle. You think there must be an accident. You come nearer to se what’s going on. In the middle of the circle, there is a man almost nude (he is wearing only a little pair...

Senegal: Would you mind fasting with us?

  24 September 2008

George writes about Ramadan in Senegal: “This Ramadan in Dakar, I had a most interesting invitation from a couple of friends. “…Would you mind fasting with us?”, they asked. What was the significance of this invitation?”

Tanzania: Pedestrians’ tales

  24 September 2008

Mara writes about pedestrians’ experiences in Tanzania: “Pedestrians have nothing close to the right of way around here. The bigger you are, the more authority you have. The faster you go, the more people are expected to dive out of the way when you approach. Motorcycles swerve to avoid 4×4s...

Deaf Awareness Week: Striving for Quality Education

  24 September 2008

On this second part of the Deaf Awareness Week posts (part one), we bring you a perspective on education for the deaf, and the different challenges it implies. First, from the Central African Republic, a school that after funds stopped, has continued fueled only by love. Second, from the Philippines,...

South Africa: Dude, Where's the Presidency?

  23 September 2008

The South African Blogosphere just sparked with the recent news of 11 Ministers and 3 deputy ministers resigning including South Africa's star minister, Trevor Manuel and The Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka. Here's what the bloggers are saying...

Angola: Luxurious flats for the rich, soaring rent for the poor

  22 September 2008

Land and property speculation in Luanda is one of the causes of the significant increase in housing prices in the Angolan capital. In this article, Clara Onofre investigates how luxury developments are quickly taking over Luanda's landscape. But who are they for?

South Africa: Mbeki as a tragic hero

  22 September 2008

Is Thabo Mbeki a tragic hero?: “President Thabo Mbeki’s shock resignation on Sunday night has me reaching for my Julius Caesar (Act 3, scene 2). I have this image of the noble Caesar (Mbeki) cut down in the forum by the conspirators (Mantashe, Motlanthe, Malema, Zuma et al).”

Africa: An African Voice Telling the African Story

  22 September 2008

Kenyan Pundit writes about A24 Media, “A24 Media is Africa’s first online delivery site for material from journalists, African broadcasters and NGO’s from around the Continent. A24 Media’s business model ensures that all contributors receive a wide and previously unknown exposure to their content, thereby generating sustainable and generous revenues...

South Africa: Forcing Mbeki out is stupid

  22 September 2008

J.S considers the move to force the South African President, Thabo Mbeki, out of office is stupid: “Mbeki being forced out is really a stupid thing for the ANC to do. Why couldn’t they have just left him there to complete his term?”

Tanzania: Tanzanian out of Big Brother Africa

  22 September 2008

The Tanzanian contestant in the Big Brother III has been evicted, “Tanzania's beautiful and sassy Latoya was evicted out of the just begun Big Brother Africa 3 challenge in SA, that country whose ruling party boss has the power to force the sitting Presidents resignation!”

About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage

Zita Zage
Zita Zage is the Anglophone Africa Editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Jean Sovon
Jean Sovon is the Francophone Africa. Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Dércio Tsandzana
Dércio Tsandzana is the Lusophone (Portuguese) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.