insert_link Africa Opposition accuses Togo government of extending President’s rule Tensions have risen in Togo as parliamentary and regional elections are underway amid controversy over a new constitution extending President Faure Gnassingbé's term. The BBC reports that opposition parties have accused the government of using the reform to extend Gnassingbé's family's 57-year rule, allowing him to potentially stay in power until 2031. todayApril 29, 2024 17
insert_link South Africa Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility By Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, University of Adelaide Ivan Vladislavić is Johannesburg’s literary linkman. He tells us, in the first pages of his new book, The Near North, that before cities were lit, first by gaslight and later electricity, people of means paid torchbearers to escort them through dark and perilous streets. “In Paris,” he observes, “these linkmen were often police spies or informers, while in London they were […] todayApril 24, 2024 21
insert_link Entertainment ‘A Story of Bones’ documentary screens at Goethe-Institut The documentary ‘A Story of Bones’ was screened at the Goethe-Institut Namibia, followed by a panel discussion. This is after the documentary was shown around the world since its premiere in New York City in 2022. The film sheds light on the ongoing struggle for the proper memorialisation of the remains of thousands of formerly enslaved Africans in the British Overseas Territory of Saint Helena. Here’s Annina van Neel the […] todayApril 23, 2024 122
insert_link Africa Two new malaria vaccines are being rolled out across Africa: how they work and what they promise By Jaishree Raman, National Institute for Communicable Diseases Malaria incidents are on the rise. There were 249 million cases of this parasitic disease in 2022, five million more than in 2021. Africa suffers more than any other region from malaria, with 94% of cases and 95% of deaths worldwide. This year two revolutionary malaria vaccines are being rolled out across the continent. Nadine Dreyer asks Jaishree Raman […] todayApril 23, 2024 52
insert_link Africa Burna Boy, Siya Kolisi, William Ruto are among world’s most influential people Afrobeats megastar Burna Boy, Kenya's President William Ruto, and captain of South Africa's national rugby team Siya Kolisi are leading the group of Africans who have been recognised by Time magazine among the world's most influential people. The BBC further reports that Burna Boy was featured in the icons category, Kolisi was recognised for his leadership through “wisdom and humility”, and President Ruto was named for spearheading Africa's climate action. todayApril 18, 2024 37
insert_link Africa How to end hunger in sub-Saharan Africa: fight inequality, gender imbalances and climate change By Helen Onyeaka, University of Birmingham A greater part of Africa’s population can’t afford a healthy diet than any other regional population. Food insecurity in sub-Saharan Africa is caused by climate change, high levels of poverty, rapid population growth, low economic growth, inadequate infrastructure and conflicts. Women are the backbone of agricultural labour in the region. The problems of limited access to land, water and technology faced […] todayApril 18, 2024 18
insert_link Africa Nearly 136 million people in Africa live with hearing difficulties: tackling the crisis with a smartphone and an app By De Wet Swanepoel, University of Pretoria In rural Kenya, 64-year-old John Kamau’s world of silence is about to change. For decades, isolated by hearing loss from the community’s vibrant life and his grandchildren’s conversations, he sees hope when a community health worker visits with a smartphone in hand. This isn’t just any visit; it’s the gateway to Kamau’s reconnection with the world, facilitated by breakthrough digital […] todayApril 18, 2024 20
insert_link Africa NBA Africa-Africell collaboration points to the growing influence of private sector in Africa sport By Bonface Orucho, via bird story agency The recent unveiling of a new indoor basketball court by NBA Africa and Angolan telecoms company Africell is another example of how private sector partnerships are helping to fast-forward sports development across Africa, while governments are missing the opportunity, according to a Nigerian sports analyst. Sports and entertainment expert Adedamilola Adedotun, lead sports strategist at The Temple in Nigeria, […] todayApril 17, 2024 25
insert_link Africa bird TenX: African countries with the highest number of EVs By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency Despite recent headwinds, a growing shift from gasoline-powered vehicles to electric vehicles continues apace in Africa. Last year, the global sale of fully electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles rose by 31% compared to 2022, according to a 2024 report by market research firm Rho Motion. Despite the high cost of conversion and a lack of adequate enabling infrastructure such as […] todayApril 16, 2024 61