Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from September, 2010
D.R. of Congo: Okapi Radio, Winner of “Free Media Pioneer” Awards
The International Press Insitute (IPI) has granted Okapi Radio, the UN Radio in D.R. of Congo, with a "Free Media Pioneer" Award. The radio has been broadcasting since February 2002 to contribute to the peace-building process in DRC.
Madagascar, rosewood trafficking: an investigator arrested
The site Mongabay [in English] and the blog MyDago [in French] reported on September 17 that “a foreign journalist”, whose identity was not revealed, was arrested on September 5 in Maroantsetra in eastern Madagascar while investigating the smuggling of rosewood [in French].
Ethiopia: The Ogadeni Problem
semantic Eritrea discusses Ethiopia's Ogadeni problem: “Back in 2007, Ogadeni rebels overpowered the defenses of a petrol company. This shocked the companies in the region and the Ethiopian government.”
Sudan: How to Fix a Referendum
Lessons from Sudan on how to fix a referendum: “For not only has registration failed to begin (the stipulated date was July of this year), it is still not fully clear who is eligible to vote and what defines eligibility.”
Ethiopia/USA: Protesters and supporters welcome Meles Zenawi
Konobusiness blogs about the controversial visit by Ethiopian Prime Minister to Columbia University: “The intensity of the crowd, both pro and anti-Zenawi, caught police officers off guard as they were not wholly prepared for the number of people arriving.”
Angola: Meet the Country Through its Windows
Uma janela aos domingos [A window on Sundays, pt], is a series of weekly posts featuring photos from Angolan windows with stories told by their authors. As Gabriel Toureg explains, “it's a way to know more about the country, its culture, remote locations, architecture and people of Angola”.
Zambia: The joys of working with rural communities
Rakesh Katal recounts the joys and challenges of working with communities in rural Zambia.
South Africa: Zuma the patriarch vs ANC gender equality
Zuma [South Africa's President) the patriach versus ANC gender equality: “It should also not be controversial to point out the obvious fact that our current President (who is also the President of the ANC) is a patriarch and – in his private affairs, at least – a Zulu traditionalist.”
Africa: Africa Media Leadership Conference 2010
Dibussi blogs about the Africa Media Leadership Summit. Tjis year the summit will focus on finding “Sustainable Media Business Models in the Digital Age”.
Uganda: Do you trust the media?
Tumwijuke blogs about “a little-reported event occurred at City Hall in Kampala on Saturday.”: Members of the Uganda Journalists’ Association voted for a new executive. To summarize the chaotic proceedings, it was a joke. Chaos over the association’s constitution, armed police barring observers, allegations of voter bribing, the works!
Zimbabwe: Marching For Peace
“Groups in Bulawayo marked International Peace Day on Tuesday (yesterday) with a peaceful march starting at the Bulawayo City Hall. The march went ahead peacefully after police clearance was granted,” Sokwanele reports.
Nigeria: Nigeria's President Campaigns on YouTube
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan is campaigning on YouTube, Solomon reports: “Another presidential aspirant, current president Goodluck Jonathan, has released a series of music videos as part of his campaign strategy. The videos, available on YouTube, feature different musical genres.”
Zimbabwe: Action Alert for Jenni Williams
Action Alert from Zimbabwe for Jenni Williams: “News update from WOZA – 1.30pm – Wednesday 22nd – 83 members released on free bail – Jenni Williams arrested outside Harare Magistrate’s Court.”
Tanzania: Music in Tanzanian Politics
As Tanzania prepares for 2010 General Elections, Elsie blogs about innovative use of music in politics in Tanzania.
Tanzania: Running for office using Kanga and social media
A Tanzanian politician uses kanga and social media to campaign: “The fact that Zitto Kabwe is reporting via Twitter, blog, Flickr and Facebook from Kigoma North, while at the same time operating an election campaing with traditional elements – like the ngoma and the kanga – is a clear fact...
Namibia: Teaching English in Namibia
Lynn shares her experience teaching English in Windhoek, Namibia: “English is the official language of Namibia and my understanding is that public school classes are taught in English. I think most pre-school kids hear Afrikaans and/or their indigenous languages in their homes and arrive in first grade without a kindergarten...
Africa: Ajami Writing System
Do you know Ajami writing system?: “Ajami writing system has been used for at least at least a thousands years in parts of Africa. As I understand it, the script is a modification of Arabic incorporating local languages such as Hausa [mainly the northern regions of Nigeria, Benin, Togo, Ghana]...
Africa: The Black Venus
Africa is a Country posts a 30-second trailer of the movie “Venus Noire” (Black Venus) about the life of Sara Baartman, the 18th century young Khoi woman publicly exhibited as a circus freak in Europe.
Kenya: Governance Reform From Below
Tobias writes about John Githongo‘s lecture and a new social movement in Kenya: “The lecture took place almost exactly a year ago, and in it you can see the seeds of what has become Inuka Ni Sisi, “a grassroots social movement dedicated to inspiring Kenyans at every level to take...
Mozambique: “Bread Riots” Reflections
Globally and in Maputo, bloggers reflected on the unrest in Maputo and the government's response, addressing the economic, political and social aspects of events. Critiques of "civil society", globalization and Mozambique's economic model were numerous.
Africa: Africa's mobile app marketplace
Welcome to Mobisoko: “Mobisoko is Africa’s mobile app marketplace. It is the place for you to find location and language relevant applications for mobiles, especially geared to the African market.”
About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage
