Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from January, 2011
Zimbabwe: Myopic Look East Policy
Upenyu analyses Zimbabwe's “Look East” policy: “When ZANU PF looks East I wonder what it is looking at. Is it examining the Chinese Communist Party’s successes and failures and how these may be instructional for them too?”
Sudan: What will be the new name for Southern Sudan?
A referendum took place in Southern Sudan from 9 January to 15 January 2011 on whether the region should remain a part of Sudan or become Africa's new independent state. As of 27 January 2011, preliminary results showed that 98.81% of voters are in favor of secession while 1.19% are in favor of unity. Final results will be announced early February. This is our latest roundup of posts related to the referendum.
Namibia: I am an African goddess
Big Ear Records, Production label and new management from South Africa is releasing the much anticipated new super dance album, I am an African goddess, of the Namibian Superstar LadyMay.
World: Free and open source software for academics
Kajsa attended a lecture by Joshua Kwesi Aikins as a part of a two-day lecture series for graduate students at Institute of African Studies at University of Ghana where free and open source softwares for academics were recommended.
Ghana: GMT means Ghana Man Time!
Do you know Ghana Time?: “Jokes abound about lateness – GMT stands for Ghana Man Time – and there is an assumption that nothing will ever start on time. And yet sometimes I wonder whether things don’t start on time because people are late, or because the attendees know that...
Nigeria: The new face of politics
Robinson Tombari Sibe shows how the Nigerian President has changed the face of Nigerian politics: “President Jonathan has enlarged the political workspace in Nigeria by not only playing by the rules but also encouraging perceived opponents in their quest to unseat him.”
Eritrea: The Tunisian revolution cannot be replicated in Eritrea
Yosief Ghebrehiwet explains why the Tunisian revolution cannot be replicated in Eritrea:”the wholesale eviction of the adult student population from the cities and the overall low development level of the nation make it impossible for the kind of uprising that we are witnessing in Tunisia to be emulated in Eritrea.”
Gabon: Opposition Leader Takes Oath as New President
The double presidential power struggle in Côte d'Ivoire seems to have inspired Gabon's political opposition as well. This afternoon on January 26, 2011, former Gabonese presidential election candidate André Mba Obame - regarded by many as the probable winner of the 2009 election - has taken oath as President and formed his own 'unofficial' government.
Tunisia: Keeping a Tab on Dissidents
Mauritanian blogger Nasser Weddady translates a document which shows how the former Ben Ali regime of Tunisia kept a tab on its dissidents abroad.
Kenya: Sue: The Kenyan prostitute building a brand online
The Kenyan Blogosphere has just recently been graced by not your usual blogger and not your usual genre: a street prostitute building her brand online by sharing her experience and opinions.
Kenya: How developers can make money with Safaricom
Bankelele looks at how Kenyan developers can make money with Kenya's leading mobile phone company, Safaricom: “One of the unintended effects of Airtel’s price wars with Safaricom in Kenya is that it has made Safaricom more responsive to Kenyan developers in terms of collaboration on products, services, platforms etc.”
Africa: Queer Africa: Pre-Writing, Writing, Re-Writing
On Queer Africa: …when I am asked to write on “queer Africa” or think about it, (the invitations rarely come, so this is hypothetical), I am asked to do “something” “impossible.”
Tanzania: Tanzania's First Gay Movie
Last week Kenyan Gay came across a gay movie produced and shot in Tanzania, which will premier on 4th February 2011.
Africa: The 2011 Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards
Bankelele announces the launch of The 2011 Diageo Africa Business Reporting Awards – DABRA in Nairobi, Kenya. Entries are invited from all African countries for the winners to be announced in London later this year.
A Korean Vessel Rescued from Somali Pirates, Worries of Retaliation Grow
Last Friday, South Korean special forces successfully rescued its 21 crew members who had been held as hostages by Somali pirates in the Arabian Sea. Prudent net users have raised worries over possible retaliation and complaints against mainstream media for neglecting important domestic issues and the efforts of the individuals who have actually saved the crews.
Malawi: Connecting tourism and music industry
Gregory discusses the need to connect tourism and music industry in Malawi: “Taking advantage of the fact that music pulls and attracts people and their world the tourism industry which sells our places out there would intensify promotion of the varieties at their places.”
South Africa: Meet students for humanity
A group of inspiring young (15-18) South African students from poor, underprivileged areas; ‘townships’ around Cape Town, share about their life and communities online.
Ghana: 10 Do's and Don'ts of Accra
10 do's and don'ts of Accra, Ghana: “Don’t shake hands with the left hand. Also, don’t eat with the left hand. Always use the right hand when dealing with people and showing directions, Don’t be a fan of taxis in general whiles staying in Accra rather, opt for the cheapest...
Ghana: Environmental consciousness through photography
You can team up with Ghanaian photographer and blogger, Nana Acquah, to create serious social, environmental consciousness through photography.
Cote d'Ivoire: Who are the fools in Ivorian crisis?
Novis identifies “the fools” in the political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire:”The basic fact is that Ouattara's claim of victory is no less disputable as that of Gbagbo. on the other hand, Gbagbo's claim of electoral fraud by his opponent is no more credible than that of Ouattara. So there's clear...
Kenya: Webcomic based on pre-independence Kenya
Emergency Webcomic is a miniseries written and illustrated by Chief Nyamweya. It is based on pre-independence Kenya as seen through the eyes Chege Karobia and Kim (Dedan Kimathi).