· May, 2008

Stories about South Africa from May, 2008

South Africa: Bloggers need to do more than just write

  31 May 2008

A few South African bloggers are thinking about positive steps to take with regard to the current xenophobia crisis in South Africa. Stii asks, “What can we as bloggers do about the Xenophobia crisis?” and Mike Stopforth calls on South African bloggers to do something. Meanwhile, Afrigator has launched a special Xenophobia Crisis Page.

On the return of the victims of xenophobia

  31 May 2008

“Ultimately, we have not yet reached the time when the South African government will acknowledged, unequivocally, its responsibility for this whole issue. With empty thoughts and a huge incapacity for self-criticism (as a first step), the South African regime, apparently, carries on burying their head in the sand.” Agry [pt]...

South Africa: Who is to blame for xenophobia?

  27 May 2008

David blames the South African government for the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa: “No one hates foreigners like South Africans do. South Africa is said to be officially the most xenophobic nation in the world. So much for being xenophobic and all that but why go to the criminal...

South Africa: What is the meaning of “makwerekwere”?

  25 May 2008

Khanya traces the origin of the word “makwerekwere,” a slang for foreigners in South Africa: ” A couple of bloggers with an interest in language have asked about the the origin and meaning of the word “makwerekwere”. It is a slang word for foreigners, and especially illegal immigrants, which I...

South Africa: Mapping xenophobia

  25 May 2008

United for Africa maps xenophobia incidents in South Africa: “The Ushahidi engine is being used to map xenophobic attacks in South Africa at the “United For Africa” website.”

Nigeria/South Africa: Nigeria vs South Africa

  25 May 2008

Nanja Boy writes examines the fate of Nigerians in the recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa: “Lest we have forgotten, Nigerians economy now harbors the best of their businesses. For goodness sake, the lists of Nigerian-based multinational companies wholly owed or controlled by South Africa people or government is far...

Voices that consent to xenophobia

  25 May 2008

“The prominent South African political folk who have enjoyed the protection of the Mozambican people and are today entrepreneurs or leaders, why don't they raise their voices strongly to protect the Mozambican against xenophobia and stop their patricians?”, asks Bosse Hammarström [pt].

South Africa: What can bloggers do about the Xenophobia crisis?

  21 May 2008

Stii suggests what South African bloggers can do about the xenophobia crisis in South Africa: “My idea is to have like a trust fund, NGO or something to which bloggers/technology people can contribute to financially. I’m more than willing giving money to any organization, but it would be nice to...

South Africa: Bloggers, let's do something

  21 May 2008

Mike calls on South African bloggers to do something about the violent attacks against foreigners: “It’s on that note that I’d like to encourage you, my fellow bloggers and business people, to join me in doing something about it. We know we have the collective influence to make a big...

Xenophobia Plagues South Africa

  21 May 2008

Extremely violent attacks on foreigners in South Africa in the last days have stirred the entire South African media and of course… blogs. Individual bloggers question whether the government is right to call these attacks "xenophobic", and criticize the media for being too event driven to address the causes behind the violence.

South Africa: The African Leadership Academy

  21 May 2008

Ladybrille writes about the African Leadership Academy: “Founded by four dynamic individuals: Fred Swaniker, Chris Bradford, Peter Mombaur and Acha Leke, the ALA is an organization committed to developing the next generation of African leaders. The Academy, located in the outskirts of Johannesburg in South Africa, boast a world class...

South Africa: Is xenophobic South Africa ready for 2010?

  20 May 2008

Bomseh, a Kenya blogger in South Africa, asks, “Is xenophobic South Africa ready for 2010?”: “It is therefore with much shock and disbelief that I watched unfolding events on the news last night about the recent wave of xenophobic attacks in Johannesburg and neighbouring towns within the province of Gauteng....

Africa: They don't take photos in Africa

  14 May 2008

Do they take photos in Africa?: “Pieter Hugo, the South African photographer, is the only African featured in JUXTAPOZ’s “Photo Issue” that came out this month. I guess we’ll have to wait till their “Africa” issue.”

Africa: African Fashion News

  13 May 2008

Ladybrille African Fashion News: “A weekly collection of fashion news relating to or about Africa. Some quick highlights from this week's news: a) Ghana prepares for its first ever fashion week with Coca-Cola Accra Fashion Week; b) South Africa forges fashion relationships with Asia, South Africa based Nigerian Designer Fred...

PangeaDay: an event lived worldwide

  12 May 2008

Pangea Day took place Saturday, and people from different parts of the world got together to watch movies and be a part of the worldwide event where movies, speakers and music showed us a bit of life on the other side of the globe, uniting people from all walks of life to believe that we aren't as different as we would believe. It also included a mobile video contest, with an international lineup of winners.

South Africa: Standard Bank talks to bloggers

The Standard Bank in South Africa responds to online comments: “So, I was really happy to see that not only did Standard Bank fix the problem quickly, but their Head of Online Banking and Communication Channels, Itai Maunga, is engaging with social media channels like Muti, and with bloggers, like...

South Africa: Financing The Future

  1 May 2008

Carbon Copy considers micro-finance as an idea that could help alleviate the energy problems in South Africa, not just in rural off-grid settings, but also urban squatter settlements.