Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from July, 2009
Africa: Obama uses new media to talk to Africans
"Ever wanted to ask our Son from Nyangoma any questions? In other words, would you like the American president, Barack Obama to answer your questions?," begins a post at Hot Secrets blog about Obama's use of new media to engage in a conversation with ordinary Africans.
Nigeria: Interview with Nigerian digital artist
Read an interview at Black Looks with Nigerian digital artist, Kenneth Shofela Coker.
Africa: Africans to text Obama during his Ghana trip
Erik discusses Obama's new media strategies for his trip to Ghana: We’re launching an SMS platform to allow citizens to submit questions, comments and words of welcome (in English and in French) . Using a local SMS short code in Ghana (1731) , Nigeria (32969) , South Africa (31958) and...
Kenya: Kenyan poet fears for his life
Kenyan Poet, singer and actor Grand Master Masese fears for his life after a series of bizarre phone incidences in the past week. On Friday night, he received an SMS threatening his life. It read: “Umekua ukijifanya mjanja but mwisho wako umefika” (You think you are clever but your end...
Kenya: Demand Dignity Campaign
Marvin blogs about Demand Dignity Campaign run by the Amnesty International in Kenya.
Madagascar: Community radio project by Foko and Radioactive
Lova writes about a community radio project to be run by Radioactive and Foko in Madagascar.
South Africa: Drumming to freedom
cueTV interviews a dance collective from Mauritius, Reunion and Madagascar about the dance, Ma Ravan’, a ritual and a performance, and paying homage to slaves and freedom fighters performed at the Grahamstown Arts Festival in South Africa.
South Africa: Jesse Clegg at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival
cueTV speaks to Jesse Clegg, the son of music legend Johnny, at the Grahamstown National Arts Festival.
Ghana: Guess who's coming to dinner
Guess who's coming to dinner in Accra, Ghana: “Today's edition of the nation's flagship newspaper Daily Graphic offered a rather hefty edition, starting with key articles like these, offering reasons for Obama's desire to come to Ghana.”
Ghana: Best places to eat in Accra
Karen lists the best places to eat in Accra, Ghana: “However, it is that time of the year where dozens of people that I know are heading off for field research and people are always asking me for tips on where to eat in Accra (I am a failed food...
Madagascar: Traditional and New Media Discuss Crisis Reporting
As the political crisis in Madagascar drags along and international awareness of the situation fades, traditional media and new media in Madagascar came together to debate standards of collection and distribution of news in times of crisis.
Cote d'Ivoire: Paul Sika's technicolor dreamscape
Glenna Gordon interviews Paul Sika from Ivory Coast about his work: “I first came across Paul Sika's photos on the blog Africa is a Country and was immediately transfixed by how he transformed scenes that seemed so familiar to me into something brilliantly technicolor and radiant. I emailed him last...
Africa: Some thoughts on African film
Sci-Cultura writes about African film: “Anyone who’s read the recent posts on this blog will know that I am enthralled, intrigued and besotted by the use of film as a medium to convey stories. This year has been good for raising the awareness of Kenya in the world of film....
Ghana: Bloggers Discuss Business Process Outsourcing
Few know that A.T.Kearney rated Ghana as sub-Saharan Africa's number one Business Process Outsourcing destination in 2005 and, as of June 2009, the nation’s achievements in this field look set to continue. Several bloggers reported on an agreement signed in early June between two leading ICT organisations that will provide unprecedented opportunities for ICT students, create thousands of jobs, and underpin the growth of this nascent industry.
Senegal: The evolution of Senegalese women in film
AFWMNCIN discusses the evolution of Senegalese women in the film industry: “Throughout the 1970s and 1980s Safi Faye was the lone woman filmmaker in Senegal. New faces were visible in the 1990s with the emergence of Adrienne Diop, Mariam Kane Selly, Rokhaya Diop, Aissaou Laba Touré and Kady Sylla; all...
Kenya: Could the Hague be God's answer to Kenyans?
Kumekucha wonders if the Hague could be the answer to the cry of Kenyans: “That said, I hope that the ICC can get its act together and start coming after all world leaders who commit atrocities against their people. Starting with Bush and Rumsfeld, Mugabe and henchmen and on to...
Kenya: Kenya Revenue Authority, Wake Up!
Thinker's Room discusses redundant procedures required by the Kenya Revenue Authority: “Countless man hours are wasted by taxpayers, accountants all around Kenya and KRA employees to collect data that they already bloody have. Mind numbing repetitive manual work at unnecessary cost to the taxpayer.”
Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Inclusive Government Watch
The Zimbabwe Inclusive Government Watch run by Sokwanele shows breaches by parties in the government. The breaches are recorded by daily monitoring of media reports. The counts therefore have to be viewed in the context of a repressive media environment, and as an indicator of total breaches rather than a...
Kenya: Kenya against Ireland in Intercontinental Cup
Kenya Cricket writes about Kenya's Intercontinental Cup match against Ireland: “Ireland yesterday (Sun) seized six points through a first innings lead of 73 after Kenya's last four wickets added 92 to their Saturday overnight score of 239 for 6, thereby avoiding the follow-on. Vice-captain Jimmy Kamande batted sensibly to make...
DRC: Goma's Makeover for Independence Day
June 30th marked the 49th anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Congo's independence from Belgium. This year, the official festivities took place in Goma. Bloggers react to this historic anniversary, celebrated in a city that not long ago was a war zone.
South Africa: Storm Brewing Between Government, Striking Doctors & Unions
In the last few months there has been a storm brewing between different parties here in South Africa related to the public health care system. Doctors, unions and government are at odds without being able to come to a compromise. There have been accusations made by all sides and doctors...