Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from May, 2009
Zambia: Support a Zambian filmmaker in an online film contest
Support a Zambian filmmaker in an online film contest: “Zambian filmmaker Chansa Tembo has been named a finalist in the U.S. Embassy’s inaugural Democracy Video Challenge online film contest. Mr. Tembo will compete with two other African filmmakers for the chance to win an all-expenses trip to Washington, DC, New...
Zambia: HIV discrimination trial postponed
The HIV discrimination case that was going to be live-blogged from the High Court in Zambia has been postponed: “So the judge has spoken and postponed the trial until 15 July 2009. She says that she doesn’t have any dates available until then. This is unfortunate given that both of...
Malawi: Twittering Malawi Elections 2009
Seven candidates are running for president in the fourth presidential elections in Malawi, including the incumbent Bingu wa Mutharika for the Democratic Progressive Party and the main opposition figure John Tembo, standing for the opposition coalition. Voters are also choosing their members of parliament. Anyone interested in the elections can follow updates from Malawian micro-bloggers.
Zambia: Live-Blogging a Groundbreaking HIV Discrimination Case
Priti Patel, project lawyer (HIV/Aids) for the Southern Africa Litigation Centre is in Livingstone, Zambia to live-blog a groundbreaking HIV discrimination case in the country.
Zambia: Groundbreaking HIV case in court
Priti Patel is following a groundbreaking HIV case in Livingstone, Zambia: “On Wednesday, 20 May, the Livingstone High Court will hear a ground-breaking case determining whether mandatory testing for HIV and discrimination solely on the basis of HIV status is constitutional in Zambia.”
Malawi: Listen to Malawi Election Bloggers
Malawians are currently voting in the presidential and parliamentary elections. A group of Malawian bloggers were trained by PenPlusBytes, an International Institute of ICT Journalism in collaboration with New Media Institute to monitor and comment on the elections using blogs, twitter and mobile phones. Let's take a look at their blogs, which are hosted on The African Elections Portal. The African Elections Portal provides comprehensive election related information on the various countries in Africa.
Disabled Congolese Find Ways to Thrive
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, life for the disabled or physically impaired is wrought with difficulties. With no state support and few employment prospects, individuals with disabilities face numerous challenges. This article explores the innovative ways some disabled Congolese earn their living.
Macedonia: French Military Cemetery in Skopje
Volan presents a photo and video story about the French Military Cemetery in Skopje that houses the remains of 2,930 soldiers from France and its colonies, including Morocco and Senegal, who have fallen during World War I on the Macedonian Front, aka Salonika front (1915-1918). The site presents a historical...
Nigeria: The next Nigerian for the Chinese hangman
My Pen and Paper's opinion following the execution of a Nigerian citizen Chibuzor Vitus Ezekwem in China after a Chinese court found him guilty of trafficking in banned substances.
Malawi: 800 officers hired for the general election
Malawi Electoral Commission has hired 8000 officers from the Malawi Police and Malawi Army to ensure security of voters, ballot papers and the voters roll in all the polling stations, Tiwonge reports.
Africa: The Grid and Mobile Phone Documentary
White African writes about the Grid, a mobile social network in Tanzania and Hello Africa, a documentary about mobile phone culture in Africa.
Ghana: Sponsor Maker Faire Africa
You can sponsor Maker Faire Africa, “We’ve been asked by a number of people if they could sponsor Maker Faire Africa as individuals. Amounts that range from $25 to $100. This is a good idea, and in line with the type of event that this is.”
Angola: “Every city has its history, and ours is no different”
In a time when Luanda's landscape is suffering big changes, citizens have come together to protect the city’s architectural heritage. In this post we explore bloggers' discussion of the need to save what is left of Luanda.
Video: 48 Hour Young Lions YouTube Contest and others you can join
Tonight could be your chance to make it big in the online video field, almost anywhere you live. All it takes is 48 hours to make, upload and get as many votes on your video, and you could go to the Cannes Film Festival. If you can't make it on time, don't worry: following is a list of other contests open for participants from all around the world.
South Africa: “Cape Africa” Time
Koluki writes about the exhibition of contemporary African culture in Cape Town, South Africa, “Borrowing its title from the acclaimed novel by Capetonian author Alex La Guma, A Walk Into the Night is an innovative project inspired by the history of the Cape Town Carnival.”
Kenya: What do you see on these images?
What do you see on these images taken in rural Kenya? asks Erik. “Under each image you’ll see why it’s interesting. By the way, I too missed the relevance of the flip flops at first glance…”
Kenya: Guns should be legal
Tom wants guns to be legal in Kenya: “The government through propaganda is failing to protect the security of the individual and property. Kenya is hence a state where life is brutish, hash and nasty because of laws placed by someone who has guards 24/7.”
Nigeria: Digital Lifestyle of Connected Nigerians
Oro writes about a survey conducted by the Centre for Information Technology and Development in Nigeria, “the Digital Lifestyle of Connected Nigerians.”
Nigeria: Gas flaring to continue
Sokari writes about gas flaring in Nigeria, “The Nigerian government has once again extended the deadline to end gas flaring…Gas flaring is the burning of the natural gas that is produced on the surface during the production process. The gas produces huge flames and toxic gases.”
Zimbabwe: Bail granted for political prisoners
Three political prisoners in Zimbabwe, Gandhi Mudzingwa, Kisimusi Dhlamini and Andrison Manyere, have been granted bail by the High Court Judge, This Is Zimbabwe reports.
South Africa: Social network that tracks your location
Vincent writes about the Grid, a social network that tracks location of mobile phone users in South Africa.
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