by Nokuthula Moyo Respect for press freedom and a free flow of information are necessary for a vibrant and healthy democracy. Are we saying farewell to democracy in South Africa? While other African countries are being acknowledged for improved press freedom by the United Nations, South Africa has been receiving widespread condemnation from human rights [...]
Ugandan writer Doreen Baingana was previously nominated for the Caine Prize for African Writing, twice. Now, she is the Chairperson of FEMRITE, a Ugandan women writers’ association. An Indian publication, The Caravan, recently published her interesting new short story, Gorging. According to its official website, The Caravan is ”devoted to narrative journalism” and has “a commitment to [...]
Tara Durotoye is convinced that consistency plus the grace of God have been the keys to her success. Durotoye is the founder and CEO of Nigeria’s House of Tara International, a makeup company she started in her early twenties by going from door to door doing Bridal makeup. Durotoye admits that when she started, she [...]
Today marks nine years since the untimely passing of Brenda Fassie on May 9, 2004. The South African afro-pop singer was dubbed the “Madonna of the Townships” by Time Magazine and affectionately known as MaBrr by her fans died after an apparent drug overdose led to cardiac arrest. Throughout her career as one of the [...]
In an article entitled “Ten Things to Know About African Consumers,” the Boston Consulting Group wrote “Africa is not easily pigeonholed, and making generalizations about its consumers is a risky proposition.” I agree with them but excuse me while I go ahead and do it anyway. A recent digital conversation about customer service in Zimbabwe got me [...]
20 years ago today, the United Nations proclaimed May 3 World Press Freedom Day (#WPFD). “It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom – a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed down, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, [...]
The award-winning series, Intersexions, is back for a second season. Intersexions comprises of 26 independent but interrelated episodes “that examine how that which remains unsaid in love, relationships and sex may place us at greatest risk of HIV infection.” The concept is similar to that of Love Games Zambia and Shuga (Kenya) and it has [...]
BudgIT is an example of young Africans using technology to tackle issues of transparency and accountability. The Nigerian tech start-up aims to ensure that Nigerian citizens are well-informed on public finances and how their government allocates money. BudgIT presents state and federal fiscal information in more accessible ways, through the use of infographics, maps, interactive features [...]
Kopano Matlwa is a South Africa medical doctor and author. While studying Medicine at the University of Cape Town, she wrote her first novel, Coconut, which was published in 2007. Her debut novel is one that confronts uncomfortable issues facing youth in the post-Apartheid era. It is a thorough and somewhat disturbing commentary on life [...]
Chris Abani is a Nigerian author and poet. He has won many awards for his work including the PEN Hemingway book prize for GraceLand. The sprawling, swampy, cacophonous city of Lagos, Nigeria, provides the backdrop to the story of Elvis, a teenage Elvis impersonator hoping to make his way out of the ghetto. Broke, beset [...]