Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from December, 2011
Africa: New Blog: See Africa
See Africa is a new blog focusing on Africa: “Every week, I will be updating this blog with beautiful images of Africa which many people have not seen. I admit that Africa faces a lot of challenges but the blog will not be reporting on those because I believe the...
Malawi: Actor's Arrest Reminiscent of Past Dictatorship's Censorship Laws
Malawi police on Sunday afternoon December 18, stormed a stage on which a play was being performed, arrested the main actor mid-sentence and led him away into a waiting police van. Steve Sharra reports.
Global Voices: Donate Today
2011 has been an extraordinary year for online content. Global Voices has been there as revolutions happened, dictatorships fell, and network effects rippled through the cities and neighborhoods of our contributors reporting from around the world.
Rwanda: Blogging From Rwanda
Mpenzi2 is a blog by an East African based in Rwanda, his mission is to promote and encourage young Africans from different professional background who are making the difference to build a better Africa.
Africa: Women4Africa Awards
Women for Africa Awards celebrates and encourages African women: “‘Women for Africa’ was birthed from a 20 year desire and passion to see women honoured and appreciated in a celebratory way. Everywhere you go in life you see women.”
Zambia: Sata at Close Quarters
Gershom Ndhlovu blogs about Zambia's new president: “You got to love Michael Sata, Zambia’s fifth president, or hate him—for his abrasiveness bordering on rudeness tinged with crude language—and now as head of state, disregard for protocol.”
Mozambique: The Irrepressible Facebook Blogger
Mozambique is a country with a few superbloggers and little else to report in terms of consistent expression on the open internet, but with dramatic growth of Facebook (via mobile) one brave personality has risen to the fore in this walled, blue and white world. With his frontal political comment and criticism "Apóstolo da Desgraça" has become a reference, and received threats.
Rwanda: Online Reactions to Reduced Sentence for Genocide Mastermind
The Appeals Chamber at the International Criminal Tribunal of Rwanda (ICTR) based in Arusha, Tanzania has reduced the sentence of Rwandan genocide "kingpin" Theoneste Bagosora from life to 35 years. The reduction of Bagosora's sentence has been met with mixed reactions.
Africa: Awesome Africa
Awesoma Africa is a travel series aimed at people who want to travel into Africa but do not know how to take the first step.
Rwanda: Tweeps Debate as President Kagame Eyes Third Term
As debate on whether Rwanda's constitution should be amended to allow for a third term rages on, Rwandan President Paul Kagame says that citizens are free to say that they want him. British journalist Ian Birell responded on Twitter saying, "They're not free, of course, to say he should go…"
Zimbabwe: Outrage as Octogenarian Mugabe Eyes 2012 Election
ZANU-PF has endorsed Robert Mugabe as their candidate for Zimbabwe's presidential election expected next year. If it happens, Mugabe will be 88 years old and Africa’s second oldest person to stand in a presidential election.
Nigeria: My Interview With Santa Claus
Crazy Nigerian interviews Santa Claus: “Me: There’s so much I’ve been dying to ask you…like why don’t you ever come to Nigeria? Santa: Oh, all the houses there don’t have any chimneys. Me: But you can’t expect chimneys in a country that’s hot virtually all year round! Santa: Sorry my...
Kenya: Nigerian Blogger's Impression of Nairobi
Nigerian blogger, Nwachukwu, blogs about his visit to Nairobi: “Oyi ooo! Nairobi welcomed me with a chilly breeze. I have never felt this cold before, to think that this is Africa…These guys are more adapted to the British – our common colonial masters. Most people bear their Christian ‘English’ names....
Kenya: First World Problems in a Third World Country
Bankelele looks at first world problems in a third world country: “Ory (@kenyanpundit) reigned some of us with a recent comment that people are complaining on twitter about a lack of parking at the Junction Mall in Nairobi, while there are people near there who don't have enough food to...
Ghana: Ghana should not ban second-hand cars
The Ghanaian Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, says that legislation will be coming into Ghana to ban the importation of second -hand cars. Bello disagrees:”How are Ghanaians supposed to afford brand new cars? We don't have our own car manufacturing industry to drive costs down.”
Zambia: President Sata Accuses Central Bank of Printing Fake Money
The recent dramatic disclosures of corruption in Zambia have been met with mixed reactions with some netizens supporting the government's actions while others expressly disapprove of the way the president is handling national affairs.
Mozambique: Epic, tweeted land journeys from up north
Járcia Muando (@JarciaMuando), a young communications professional, is currently tweeting her long land journey by bus, minibus and truck from Niassa province to Zambezia province in northern Mozambique. On November 1, journalist Hélder Shirangano (@Shirangano) tweeted his train journey between Nampula and Niassa provinces.
Angola: Police Represses Peaceful March in Cazenga
In 2011 Angolan people has been persistent in demonstrating discontent against the reality lived in the country. In the beginning of December, in Cazenga‘s neighborhood in Luanda, protestors were peacefully marching and chanting [video], when police forces decided to violently break the demonstration.
Tanzania: Blogging and Tweeting Tanzania@50
The mainland part of the United Republic of Tanzania, Tanganyika, has turned 50. Bloggers and Twitter users are celebrating and reflecting on the future of Tanzania.
Confusing information for NGOs at COP 17 in Durban
Addressing the 17th Conference of Parties (COP17) in Durban on climate change, René Audet complained on the website blogueaqlpa.com: “Since the arrival of Ministers in Durban, negotiations have been taken to another level, so to speak. Now, this level is inaccessible to observers like us. Information circulates well within NGO networks, but they are confusing.”
D.R. of Congo: Congolese Diaspora Erupts Against Kabila
While the DR of Congo awaits the final tally of the presidential and parliamentary elections, the Congolese Diaspora, although not allowed to vote, has shown its commitment to making its voice heard. Julie Owono reports.