· March, 2010

Stories about South Africa from March, 2010

South Africa: The woman who spent 7 months in a male cell

  27 March 2010

Before she was acquitted of attempted robbery and hijacking in South Africa, Denise Abbah was imprisoned in a male cell for seven months as she waited for her trial. The prison officials mistook her for a transvestite. Ms Abbah is now seeking justice as she is suing the Department of Correctional  Services for...

Africa: Crowdfunding in Africa

  23 March 2010

Erik writes about crowdfunding and seed funding in Africa: “We’re starting to see a few angel investors like Sean Murphy of Chembe Ventures making their way around the continent, but they are not nearly enough to fulfill the capacity of ideas and individuals who need startup capital.”

South Africa: Remembering Sharpeville Massacre

  21 March 2010

South Africans remember the Sharpeville Massacre on 21 March 1960 as a turning point in the history of political resistance against racial discrimination. Sixty-nine people were killed in the township of Sharpeville when South African police opened fire on a crowd of black protesters.

Africa: CAF 2010 Awards was an embarrassment

  19 March 2010

Thomas Kwenaite reviews the 2010 Confederation of African Football Awards: “Last week, I watched in utter embarrassment as none of the finalists in the Caf awards turned up for the event.”

South Africa: Julius Malema and the future of freedom of speech

  16 March 2010

The ANC Youth League President Julius Malema has been found guilty of hate speech because of comments he made about a woman who accused President Jacob Zuma for rape. South African bloggers and legal experts have reacted quickly to the judgement. Opinions about the judgement and the future of freedom of speech in South Africa are deeply divided.

South Africa: Julius Malema's Reverse Racism

  14 March 2010

While the antics of President Zuma have always generated intense and lively debate in the South African blogosphere, this time it is the controversial politician and the president of the African National Congress Youth League, Julius Malema, who's making headlines. Recently, Malema led students in singing an old Anti-Apartheid struggle song called Kill the Boer.

Ghana: Free visa for FIFA World Cup not so free

  12 March 2010

Emmanuel notes that free visa to South Africa for the World Cup are not really free: “Despite rather good relations between South Africa and Ghana, it is never going to be so good that they decide to waive visas for us. There are, ofcourse, conditions, and here are the five-fold...

South Africa: The Democratic Alliance and Politics 2.0

  11 March 2010

Several political parties and politicians in Africa understand the importance of using social media tools to engage with citizens and party members. Today, lets look at the Democratic Alliance, South Africa's Official Opposition and its leader, Western Cape Premier Helen Zille.

South Africa: Wake-up call for South African soccer

  7 March 2010

Thomas Kwenaite discusses the future of South African soccer in the light of Orlando Pirates’ shocking exit from the African Champions League competition: “The South African Premiership might be rated among the seven best commercially successful leagues in the world and number one in Africa, but certainly the strength of...

Africa: Quick hits in the African Tech space

  4 March 2010

Quick hits in the African Tech space from Erik: “StarTrack is a new location based tracking service in Nigeria, Loy Okezie has a good overview of this new service from Starcomms.”

South Africa: South Africa stand up comedy

  4 March 2010

SA Rocks posts a video of Don Packett, a South Africa stand up comedian: “This man makes me laugh. And yes, sure, he’s a friend so I sort of have to say that, but I really, really mean it. Honest”

South Africa: 2010 Soccer World Cup – 100 Days and counting…

  2 March 2010

Ladies and gentlemen it’s here! The countdown is on and we are about to cross the psychological number of 100 days left to go. FIFA Soccer World Cup has become the most awaited sports event in recent history not just because of its magnitude but because it comes to the world’s most colourful continent – Africa!

Africa: Who is your daddy?

  1 March 2010

As two neighbouring countries, South Africa and Zimbabwe, celebrated two very contrasting “Fathers” – Mr. Nelson Mandela and Mr. Robert Mugabe, Chris Kabwato discusses the politics of father-figure in Zimbabwe.