· December, 2010

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from December, 2010

Ghana: Reflections on Christmas in Accra

  28 December 2010

Fiona reflects on Christmas in Accra, Ghana: “Pink plastic Christmas trees on sale by the side of the road. Inflatable Santas on sale by the side of the road. Flashing Santa hats on sale by the side of the road. Pictures of Jesus, hair clippers, rat poison, socks, kites, ‘white...

Uganda: On 10 Most Influential Persons in Uganda

  28 December 2010

David Bahati, a Member of Parliament in Uganda who presented the Anti- Homosexual Bill, which would classify “aggravated homosexuality” as a capital offence is one of The Ten Most Influential Persons in Uganda in 2010.

Nigeria: Bring our health data alive

  27 December 2010

Bring our health data in Nigeria alive: “For a long time, our leaders have taken Nigerians for a ride, quoting astronomical amounts of money for delivering nothing. One major reason for this is that we had no way of knowing more than they told us.”

Africa: Tech Success in Africa is Built on the Ordinary

  27 December 2010

Meeting the needs of ordinary people is key to success in tech industry in Africa: “In fact, you can take this one step further. Almost any meaningful success in Africa’s mobile or web space has been from companies focused on meeting the needs of ordinary people.”

Nigeria: Journey to nationhood

  27 December 2010

Solomon posts a documentary looking at Nigeria's history and particularly its’ colonial history. The footage belongs to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Nigeria: Sotheby’s cancels sale of Benin’s stoles Mask

  27 December 2010

An update on the proposed sale of stolen masks from Nigeria: “Many thanks to all MyWeku readers and the 3000+ Members of the Connoisseurs of Contemporary African Art group who signed the online petition, tweeted and shared the planned sale of the “Queen of Idia” mask on various social media...

Sudan: President Announces North Will Be Ruled By Islamic Law If South Separates

  27 December 2010

As the referendum on whether or not Southern Sudan will separate approaches, a few Sudanese bloggers have been busy commenting on the future prospects of their country. Recent comments made by the Sudanese President, Omar Hassan Al-Bashir, about the implementation of Islamic Law in North Sudan if the South separates have sparked controversy

Tragedy bookends Year 2010 for Francophone Citizen Media

  26 December 2010

It appears that tragedy will bookend yet another year rich in remarkable events in the world of francophone citizen media. The month of January set the tone with the fallout from the earthquake in Haiti and December saw the elections in Cote d'Ivoire take a dramatic turn. Here is the year 2010 reviewed through the lenses of francophone citizen media users.

South Africa: Corrective rape is a hate crime

  24 December 2010

Corrective rape is a criminal practice, whereby men rape lesbian women, purportedly as a means of “curing” the woman of her sexual orientation. Despite South Africa being the first nation on earth to outlaw discrimination based on sexual orientation, the first African country to legalize same-sex marriage and the world’s first republic to guarantee LGBT citizens equal rights in all realms of life (including adoption and military service), cases of corrective rape have been on the rise.

“In the beginning was the Word”: Blogs by Bible translators

  24 December 2010

This week Christians will celebrate the birth of Jesus. Christianity appears in many forms around the world and has around 2.2 billion adherents. In this post we take a look at the blogs of the people trying to make sure Christian scripture can be understood in as many languages as possible – Bible translators.

Christmas Recipes in Global Food Blogs

  23 December 2010

Christmas means ‘coming home’ to many people - but if this isn’t possible, preparing a magic meal can be a consolation. Bloggers of many continents have shared their favorite holiday recipes. With these you can dream yourself back home or even visit a place, you’ve never been to before. Where are you celebrating Christmas this year and what are you serving?

D. R. of Congo: Ben Affleck wants to make movie about Congo

  23 December 2010

Ben Affleck would like to make a movie about the Democratic Republic of Congo: “With the success of DRC Congo’s star singer Fally Ipupa during the MAMAs, now Oscar-winning screenwriter, actor, director and now Africa advocate Ben Affleck wants to make a movie about the troubled eastern Democratic Republic of...

Kenya: Remember When Former Kenyan Minister Topped Twitter List?

  23 December 2010

Do you remember when former Kenyan Minister of Education topped Twitter list?: “William Ruto was among the top three trending list with the hash tag #Rutoplaylist. Ruto is receiving a lot of attention on the social site, he comes a close third after tweets about Lil Wayne’s release from prison...

Sudan: My Juba Diary

  23 December 2010

This is Grains of Masala's Juba Diary. Juba is the regional capital of Southern Sudan: “Interesting ride; I love taxi drivers! They are such a great source of the most amazing stories. My driver was a Ugandan who came to Juba 4 years ago…I bully him a little, and ask...

Kenya: Of Drug Barons, Rogue Envoy and Poisoned ICC

  23 December 2010

Of Drug Barons, Rogue Envoy and Poisoned ICC in Kenya: “Only in Kenya do you find the title Honourable before the name of a drug baron. And the Kenyan voter love them while the Diaspora applaud the bling bling MPs as hard working. Woe unto you envious, lazy mortals for...

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.