Latest posts by Clara Onofre

Angola: An increase in domestic violence or only in awareness?

The rates of domestic violence in Angola have increased considerably but it is a good sign: by reporting more, Angolan women get a step closer to ending the abuse perpetrated by their partners. But, have the numbers actually increased or is there just a greater awareness of such crimes?

18 January 2009

Angola: With Ebola Around the Corner, Borders Are Closed

The ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo has not spread into Angola. To prevent it happening, the neighbouring country has shut down its borders with the DRC and suspended all migration movements to protect its population from the spread of this fatal virus. Clara Onofre reports.

14 January 2009

Angola: On The Lack of Human Rights

In the mood for the Human Rights Day celebrations this December, Angolan bloggers have much to say. Angola has still not ceased appearing in reports about violations of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, despite holding a seat on the Human Rights Council.

24 December 2008

Angola: A country with huge, untapped tourism potential

Angola boasts an amazing interior landscape, rich and varied fauna, bountiful wildlife, and an extensive national park system, offering something for every visitor. However, most of its potential is still untapped, and if well explored, could make Angola the biggest tourist destination in Africa.

14 December 2008

Angola: Children as young as 6 face accusations of witchcraft

Children as young as six years old have been accused of witchcraft and abandoned, mistreated, tortured and even killed in Angola, where such accusations are deemed valid. Clara Onofre investigates this practice advised by members of illegal churches and seemingly not related to local peoples' historical traditions.

26 November 2008

The Lusosphere for Obama

See how bloggers from Angola, Mozambique, Cape Verde and East Timor are celebrating Obama as the new US president, and how they hope his election will bring change to their own countries.

5 November 2008

Angola: Hawkers face a hard life with dignity and courage

Going up and down the streets of Luanda to sell sweet fruit like sugar apples, scented mangoes, or hope-color avocados, the "zungueiras", or Angolan hawkers, usually the breadwinners of their families, sell their goods while painting the streets of Luanda with vibrant colours.

2 November 2008

Angola: On the mermaid Kianda and other mythical beings

Angola has several stories, legends and mythical characters which, like a breath of fresh air, feed the imagination of young ones and adults alike, giving wealth to Angolan history and culture. Read about the mermaid Kianda, and animal tales: deer, tortoise, alligators - they all make people's imagination fly.

28 October 2008

Angola: On the sadness and happiness of being a returnee

Angola, 1975. The country had just become independent and the former Portuguese colonizers, as well as their families and many Angolan citizens, had to flee leaving everything they had behind. 30 years later, they blog the tale of being returnees and about the sadness and happiness this change in their fortunes brought them. See a video of the dramatic mass emigration.

19 October 2008

Angola: A new African El Dorado for foreign workers

Since the end of the civil war in 2002, Angola has been home to many foreigners coming to find work. It is estimated that there are over 70,000 foreigners living in the country, mostly coming from South America, China, Portugal and other African countries. Find out how this melting pot is evolving through the view point of Angolan and immigrant bloggers.

28 September 2008

Angola: Chaos and hopes mark first election in 16 years

"I waited for this day with great anxiety and curiosity because I knew it was a special day for Angola and Angolans. For many years our daily lives had been marked by the sadness of war. A war that claimed lives, destroyed property and consumed much of our resources and energy. At last we face a historic event", says a blogger about his first vote.

9 September 2008

Angola: Going, going, gone!

The historic Kinaxixi Market of Luanda, the Angolan answer to Corbusian modernism in architecture, has been knocked down to make way for a modern shopping centre. Is this a sign of the times or an example of the devaluation of heritage in the face of economic power? Clara Onofre reports.

29 August 2008

Angola: Electoral campaign fails to excite voters

After 16 years without the right to vote, Angolans have been savouring the taste of the election campaign for almost a month now. Contrary to expectations, there is a lukewarm atmosphere around the capital Luanda. Clara Onofre shows why electors are not impressed.

20 August 2008