Confronting colonial myths head on and asserting the rich cultural heritage of the continent

Originally published on Global Voices

The African Union Permanent Representatives’ Committee members at the African Union headquarters. Image from African Union X page, used with permission.

By Mohamed Mohamud

The African Union (AU) has adopted its theme for 2025 as “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” a commitment to redress historical injustices caused by slavery, colonialism, and systemic discrimination. This initiative seeks to acknowledge and rectify the enduring impacts of injustices on African communities worldwide.

At the core of this movement is the reclamation of African narratives. Centuries of being overshadowed and misrepresented by colonial and other external perspectives have portrayed the continent through a lens of primitivism and inferiority. Such depictions served to justify colonial subjugation and exploitation.

African writers and storytellers

Some African writers and storytellers have worked to create literature representative of their people's genuine experiences. They confronted colonial myths head on and asserted the rich cultural heritage of the continent.

Among them is Ngũgῖ wa Thiong'o from Kenya, an outspoken voice in the decolonization of African literature using African languages as a cornerstone for the preservation and promotion of indigenous narratives.

Bessie Head was an internationally acclaimed South African-born writer and a brilliant example of a storyteller who reflected her people in a very realistic light.  Her “When Rain Clouds Gather” is a sensitive portrayal of rural life in Botswana, with exile, identity, and survival. Through her writings, Head sheds light on the struggles of different communities and delve deep into profound issues of social justice and complexities of post-colonial transitions. Her work remains a powerful testament to the lived realities of African societies.

Why Africans must tell their own stories

The importance of such storytelling is heightened in 2025 since the AU places an emphasis on reparations — a process that basically underscores the imperative to reclaim the agency of narration for African stories themselves. Redress of historical injustices involves not only material restitution but also repair of dignity and identity. Thus, telling their own story enables Africans and people of African descent to confront and dismantle the indelible damage that colonialism and slavery have left on them.

Besides, these stories help in the preservation of heritage. Most of the cultures of Africa have been based on oral traditions for long periods, whereby knowledge, values, and history were passed on from generation to generation. Writing these stories down in both printed and digital formats during the modern age will help preserve them against globalization and cultural homogenization. This is important to maintaining the unique identity of African peoples and their communities, thus creating a feeling of continuity and resilience.

Impact of some African literary giants

The global recognition of African literature amplifies this further. Writers like Chinua Achebe and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie have been acclaimed worldwide, setting African stories on the stage within global literary circles. Stereotypes are thus challenged, offering subtle insights into African societies, allowing readers around the world to better engage with the continent beyond the superficial.

Achebe and Adichie have greatly shaped the African identity in thought and word, imbuing into their communities the idea of survival. Achebe, reputed to be the father of African literature, spoke right against colonial discourses through his influential novel “Things Fall Apart.” By portraying a pre-colonial Igbo society with its full nuance, Achebe managed to take back the history and culture of Africans from reductive perspectives on the part of the West. His works reflect the dignity and richness of African traditions while exposing the disrupting influences of colonization, thus allowing readers to connect with a shared heritage.

Similarly, Adichie takes this inheritance into the present with her work. Renowned for her novels, which include “Half of a Yellow Sun,” she carries the historical eye toward the insight of Nigeria's Biafran War. Adichie's stories celebrate the resilience of African communities; it shows ordinary people navigating extraordinary challenges. Her emphasis has been on the multiplicity of African experiences, fighting stereotypes, and reinforcing a dynamic, evolving sense of identity.

Storytelling, in this context, is a form of intellectual and cultural restitution. If financial compensation can address economic disparities, reclaiming narratives confronts the epistemic injustices inflicted upon African peoples. It allows for a correction of historical records, celebration of African achievements, and acknowledgment of the continent's contributions to global civilization.

These stories also inspire generations that follow . In the case of a young African or person of African descent, being able to visualize their history and culture represented provides the basis for developing better self-esteem. This empowerment is crucial to build leaders who are proud of their heritage and will drive change in their communities with pride.

The 2025 theme of the AU also focuses on unity among Africans and the diaspora. Shared stories can transcend the barriers of distance and culture into one single identity across borders. This unity is necessary to galvanize efforts toward reparative justice, with all voices of the Africans and people of African descent being heard and valued.

As the African Union declares 2025 the year of “Justice for Africans and People of African Descent Through Reparations,” the role of African writers and storytellers in reclaiming the narrative is increasingly important. In developing this art, these storytellers challenge historical misrepresentations, preserve the culture, and empower future generations. Their contributions are essential to the wider movement of reparative justice, ensuring that Africans and people of African descent define their own stories and, in so doing, take their rightful place in world history.

Written by Guest Contributor

Cultural and infrastructural dynamics influence the adoption of global platforms

Originally published on Global Voices

Photo of a lady calling the slate on a film set in Lagos Nigeria. Image by FridayFilmboy from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed).

In 2020, Netflix, the streaming giant, officially launched its presence in Nigeria, becoming the first major platform from its league, including Hulu and HBO, to enter the Nigerian market. However, five years later, reports suggest Netflix is facing financial challenges in the West African nation. In an interview with Nigeria’s Vanguard News, comedian AY Makun clarified that while Netflix is not planning to exit the Nigerian market, the company’s expenditures in Nigeria have far exceeded its earnings, prompting a reassessment of its business model.

In contrast, Netflix has maintained its dominance in South Africa since its launch in 2016, commanding 31 percent of the subscription video-on-demand market with an estimated 300,000 to 400,000 subscribers, most of whom access the platform via smartphones. This contrasting experience has ignited discussions among African social media users about Netflix’s strategies on the continent.

African users’ concerns about Netflix

Despite the debunking of rumors about Netflix’s potential exit from Nigeria, a Nigerian user on X (formerly Twitter) shared her analysis, reflecting growing concerns about the streaming giant’s long-term strategy for the country:

We’ve heard that Netflix isn’t leaving Nigeria, but there’s still cause for concern, as the streaming giant’s long term strategy in the country becomes even more uncertain by the year.

Here’s why pic.twitter.com/Uz8S4PHJ6V

— gst (@wearegst) December 7, 2024

On LinkedIn, Bhuti Mopai highlighted several reasons behind Netflix's challenges in Nigeria: “South Africa embraced the streaming service due to factors like a preference for international cinema, robust internet infrastructure, and Netflix’s investment in local productions. Meanwhile, in Nigeria, Netflix struggled to compete with Nollywood, one of the largest and most culturally significant film industries globally. Economic barriers like high subscription and data costs also hindered adoption.”

Another user added: “Netflix’s struggles across Africa, outside of South Africa, stem from reliance on middlemen, undervaluing creators, and failing to adapt to local markets.

South Africa’s established film infrastructure supports Netflix’s success. However, in countries like Nigeria, cheap deals and high internet costs alienate creators and limit access. Platforms like Showmax excel by investing directly in local talent and offering affordable services tailored to African audiences.

Netflix’s failure lies in ignoring economic realities and undervaluing content. Without restructuring to prioritize direct engagement and fair deals, it risks losing to competitors committed to Africa’s diverse film industry.”

Growth of the African film industry

African cinema has been booming in recent years. According to UNESCO, African cinema generates approximately USD 5 billion annually but has the potential to grow to USD 20 billion and create 20 million jobs per year. Nollywood reigns as the second-largest film industry globally, boasting an astounding 2,500 films annually, second only to India’s Bollywood and twice the number of movies released in the United States each year. Ghana’s film industry is also emerging, producing 600 films annually, while South Africa has a long history of creating award-winning films, from Sarafina to Tsotsi (an Oscar winner in 2006) and the sci-fi thriller District 9.

While a recent report by Tech Labari revealed that Ghana's film industry is struggling due to inadequate infrastructure and equipment, piracy, competition from foreign films (particularly Nigerian productions), insufficient funding, and a lack of government support, there are signs of hope for the industry. In 2022, US-based production and infrastructure company Pixel Ray Studios announced plans to establish a modern film studio in Ghana, to position Ghana as a film hub and also a shooting destination. Additionally, British actor Idris Elba told BBC his plan to relocate to Africa within the next decade to support the continent's movie industry. Elba, whose mother is from Ghana and father from Sierra Leone, plans to build a film studio on Tanzania’s Zanzibar islands and another in Accra, Ghana's capital.

Reasons for Nollywood's success

Before exploring why Nollywood is Africa's most successful film industry, it is important to mention the ongoing debate surrounding its name. The term “Nollywood” refers to Nigeria's film industry, but some stakeholders have expressed concerns, arguing that the name, coined by a foreigner, represents a form of cultural imperialism. Critics also contend that the term mimics Hollywood rather than embodying a uniquely African identity. 

In 2024, Nollywood generated approximately USD 7 million (NGN 11.5 billion) from ticket sales, a remarkable 60 percent increase from the USD 4.4 million (NGN 7.2 billion) recorded in 2023, according to the Cinema Exhibitors Association of Nigeria (CEAN). This impressive growth highlights Nollywood's expanding influence.

Beyond Africa, Nollywood captivates global audiences with its distinctive storylines and talented actors. Nigerian filmmakers leverage digital platforms like YouTube to reach international viewers. Additionally, Nigerian content creators have taken advantage of the country’s population and partnerships with Netflix, Amazon Prime, and international Cinema houses like Genesis, FilmHouse, and more to connect to the much-coveted 18–25 demographic, further solidifying its role as a major player in the global entertainment industry.

Filmmaking in Nigeria is regionally segmented, reflecting the country's ethnic and religious diversity. Distinct industries such as Igbo language, Yoruba language, and Hausa language cinema have emerged, catering to the cultural and narrative interests of their respective regions. However, the English-language film industry acts as a unifying space, integrating contributions from these regional industries.

Nollywood’s strength lies in its storytelling, which authentically captures African culture and everyday life, resonating deeply with audiences. Unlike Hollywood’s high-budget productions, Nollywood thrives on modest budgets, showcasing impressive creativity and efficiency, often completing films in days rather than months.

Women have also taken a leading role in Nigeria's entertainment industry. Funke Akindele, an actress turned producer, is behind four of the highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time. On YouTube, Ruth Kadiri, with 2.6 million subscribers, draws millions of viewers worldwide with her compelling movies.

The highest-grossing Nigerian films of all time in Nigerian cinemas include “Everybody Loves Jenifa,” “A Tribe Called Judah,” “Battle on Buka Street,” “Omo Ghetto: The Saga,” “The Wedding Party,” “Chief Daddy,” “Queen Lateefah,” and “Alakada: Bad and Boujee.” 

Some captivating Nollywood movies on Netflix include: “Òlòtūré” (2019), “Òlòtūré: The Journey” (2024), “Shina” (2023), “Ìjọ̀gbọ̀n” (2023), “Aníkúlápó: Rise of the Spectre” (2024), and “Lisabi: The Uprising.”

Nollywood has given rise to celebrated stars such as Genevieve Nnaji, Ramsey Nouah, Richard Mofe-Damijo, Mercy Johnson, Patience Ozokwor (Mama G), Chinedu Ikedieze and Osita Iheme (Aki and Pawpaw), Nkem Owoh (Osuofia), and John Okafor.

Future of Netflix and the African film industry

According to Bhuti Mopai, Netflix's success in South Africa can be attributed to the lack of a strong local film industry, raising significant questions about the future of local storytelling in the face of global media giants. Whether Netflix will address the concerns of African users—including high subscription costs, reliance on intermediaries, undervaluing creators, and failure to adapt to local markets—or lose ground to competitors who better navigate Africa's infrastructure and cultural dynamics remains uncertain. Similarly, it remains to be seen whether other African countries, including South Africa and Ghana, will invest more in strengthening their local film industries to compete effectively.

Written by Zita Zage

Officials must balance urbanization with environmental protection

Originally published on Global Voices

Sasol Secunda Facility emissions. Image by AntimatterMachine from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed).

By Grace Kobare

African cities are growing rapidly, with over 65 percent of the continent's population expected to live in urban areas by 2060. However, while increased urbanization can create many economic and social benefits, it also comes with downsides. For instance, a recent report by Greenpeace revealed that South Africa is among the top air polluters on the continent. 

Air pollution occurs when harmful pollutants are released into the air, posing serious risks to both human health and the environment. It remains a top global environmental health concern, particularly in densely populated urban areas. In South Africa, air pollution is the second largest health risk, responsible for 25,800 early deaths in 2019. Urban air pollution harms individual health, and places additional strain on South Africa's already overburdened healthcare system, reducing productivity while also discouraging tourism and foreign investment. 

Contributing factors

Ranked as the 12th-largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally, South Africa's emission crisis is primarily driven by its energy sector. The country hosts six of the world’s 10 largest nitrogen dioxide emission hotspots and nine of Africa’s 10 largest nitrogen dioxide point sources.

South Africa is also home to two of the world’s largest sulfur dioxide emission hotspots and four significant sulfur dioxide point sources. In the southern African region, emissions of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and volatile organic compounds (such as industrial solvents) are predominantly linked to the energy sector. Meanwhile, residential fuel combustion for heating and cooking is the primary contributor to black carbon emissions, also known as soot, which can cause immediate health impacts.

Nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide, produced from the high-temperature combustion of fossil fuels, are major pollutants with well-documented public health risks. Prolonged or acute exposure to these gases poses serious health concerns. Nitrogen dioxide has been linked to long-term asthma risks and the exacerbation of respiratory conditions, while sulfur dioxide is primarily associated with asthma-related hospital admissions.

In low- and middle-income countries, approximately 85 percent of particulate matter originates from biomass combustion. This is particularly relevant in South Africa, where about 70 percent of low-income households depend on polluting fuels, such as wood, paraffin, and coal, for domestic energy needs like cooking and space heating. This reliance contributes significantly to household air pollution (HAP).

HAP increases the risk of stroke, ischaemic heart disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and lung cancer, with women and children being most vulnerable due to prolonged indoor exposure. Specific fuels determine health outcomes; biomass smoke is linked to chronic bronchitis and COPD, while coal smoke elevates lung cancer risk. Even paraffin, considered cleaner, impairs lung function and worsens asthma. In South Africa, HAP remains a critical public health issue. 

Additionally, transportation is another major contributor to pollution in South Africa, with over five million cars on the roads in Johannesburg alone, each releasing harmful gases into the air. Many vehicles rely on outdated technologies, and refueling systems are often not modernized. Also, heavy dependence on personal vehicles, along with significant use of buses and trucks, results in high levels of traffic-related emissions. 

As reported by the Daily Maverick, another key source of air pollution is industrial hubs near urban centers, such as the Mpumalanga Highveld and the Vaal Triangle, which are major sources of pollutants like PM2.5 and sulfur dioxide due to coal mining and coal-fired power stations. In 2022, the South African High Court ruled that the poor air quality in the Highveld Priority Area (HPA) violates citizens’ constitutional right to an environment that is safe for their health and well-being.

The country's growing energy demands, industrial activities, and transportation needs driven by urban growth make rapid urbanization a significant contributor to increasing air pollution in South Africa. Johannesburg, for example, is on track to become a megacity by 2030. Its rapid expansion intensifies emissions from sectors like electricity generation, which heavily relies on fossil fuels, as well as the transport and metals industries. These activities release harmful pollutants such as particulate matter (PM2.5), nitrous oxides, and sulfur dioxide (SO2), which exceed World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines for safe air quality. 

According to a 2015 research conducted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP,) South Africa has Minimum Emissions Standards (MES) for industries, but enforcement is inconsistent, and air quality monitoring is unevenly distributed. Approximately 40 percent of the population lacks access to air quality monitoring within a 25 kilometer (15.53 mile) radius, hindering effective evidence-based interventions.

Solutions

Potential solutions to South Africa’s air pollution problem include expanding renewable energy sources and reducing reliance on coal, which could significantly improve air quality. Enhancing public transport infrastructure to reduce the number of vehicles on the road, implementing green building standards, and creating urban green spaces can help mitigate pollution and its effects. Additionally, strengthening regulations under the Air Quality Act of 2004 and promoting cleaner industrial practices are crucial for achieving long-term improvements.

South African officials are working with organizations like the Clean Air Fund and UNEP through campaigns, policy recommendations, and partnerships with local governments and communities. These collaborations aim to address systemic challenges and promote sustainable urban growth.

For example, in 2023, the Clean Air Fund began its air pollution initiatives in South Africa, building on its broader work across African cities in partnership with C40 Cities. As noted in this report, Johannesburg joined the Breathe Cities initiative, receiving technical support, capacity building, and community engagement to implement clean air measures that could save 2,800 lives and USD 640 million (ZAR 12 billion) by 2040.

In Cape Town, the UrbanBetter Citizens for Clean Air Campaign empowered young runners to collect air quality data and advocate for clean air policies. Additionally, a collaboration with Climate Visuals produced a free photo collection spotlighting communities most affected by air pollution in Johannesburg and the Highveld. By engaging local leaders, community groups, and academic institutions, Clean Fund aims to advance sustainable, locally-led solutions and address the widespread impact of air pollution across South Africa.

Air pollution in South African cities highlights the urgent need for coordinated efforts in policy reform, public awareness, and sustainable urban development to balance rapid urbanization with environmental protection. Addressing this challenge requires collective action from policymakers, businesses, and citizens to tackle root causes, support regulatory measures, and implement solutions like cleaner energy and better urban planning. By coming together to demand change and take concrete steps, South Africa has a vital opportunity to curb air pollution and safeguard public health and the environment.

Written by Guest Contributor

It was a big election year for the African continent

Originally published on Global Voices

A man casting his vote. Image by Commonwealth Secretariat from Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0 Deed).

A pivotal event marking the conclusion of the “Year of Democracy” — the largest election year in human history — was Ghana's election, held from December 7 to December 9, 2024. This historic election ushered in a new chapter in Ghana’s democratic journey with the election of Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang as the nation's first female Vice President-elect.

President-elect John Dramani Mahama, leader of the opposition New Democratic Congress (NDC), surprisingly secured a resounding victory, winning by a margin of over 1.6 million votes. This represented one of the most significant defeats in decades for the incumbent New Patriotic Party (NPP).

The outcome of this election brought an end to the NPP's eight-year rule under President Nana Akufo-Addo, a period marked by Ghana's worst economic turmoil in years, soaring inflation, and a debt default. This victory also marks a return to power for President-elect Mahama, who previously served as president from 2012 to 2017.

As noted by The Guardian, President-elect Mahama faced criticism during the campaign from those who remember the financial challenges and widespread power cuts that plagued his previous administration. While some Ghanaians remain skeptical of his leadership, many Ghanaians chose him over Mahamudu Bawumia, leader of the NPP, because of the ongoing economic crisis, mounting public debt, corruption scandals, the menace of illegal mining (galamsey), and the introduction of new taxes and levies despite widespread public opposition.

Election results and what they mean

Ghana has a population of over 34 million. Voter turnout was relatively low at 60.9 percent (approximately 18.8 million votes), which is a sharp drop from the 79 percent turnout in the 2020 election. As confirmed by the Electoral Commission, of the 18,774,159 registered voters, 11,430,531 valid votes were cast, while 239,101 ballots were rejected. Mahama secured 56.55 percent of the valid votes, representing 6,328,397, while Dr. Bawumia garnered 41.61 percent, or 4,657,304 of the valid votes.

#GhanaDecides2024: Chairperson of the Electoral Commission, Jean Mensa officially declares NDC’s flagbearer John Mahama as winner of the 2024 general elections#TV3GH #ElectionCommandCentre pic.twitter.com/4Lwp6OUAmQ

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) December 9, 2024

In the parliamentary race for 276 available seats, the NDC won 185 seats, gaining 48 seats compared to the 2020 elections, while the NPP won only 80 seats, reflecting a loss of 57 seats.

As noted by a Facebook user, President-elect Mahama will wield unprecedented power over the next four years. He is set to become the Supreme Leader of Ghana with authority far exceeding what the constitution originally envisioned. The constitution of Ghana requires that at least one-third of all members of parliament be present to form a quorum for conducting business and making decisions. Following the 2024 elections, the NDC holds more than two-thirds of parliamentary seats. This means that even if the NPP (the minority) refuses to attend parliamentary sessions, the NDC (the majority) can still conduct business and pass laws.

Additionally, with this overwhelming majority in parliament, the NDC does not need opposition parties to pass legislation or make critical decisions. The president, with more than a two-thirds majority in parliament, can also decide to remove the chief justice, EC chair, and any other person whose position may need a two-thirds majority to vote and be removed from office.

The constitution likely never anticipated such a scenario — one party holding more than two-thirds of parliament and the far-reaching implications of such dominance.

Election challenges

Ghana’s election was deemed successful, but it faced several challenges. Political party supporters gathered at nine collation centers, damaging election materials and delaying the count of presidential and parliamentary votes. There were multiple reports of violence and fake ballot papers being discovered.

Prominent journalist Manasseh Azure Awuni highlighted some of these issues on X (formerly Twitter):

We must not pretend that all is well. The delay in the declaration of results by the EC, the political parties’ incitement of their supporters to mass up at the collation centres and the violence we have seen do not portend well for our election.

If this had been a close… pic.twitter.com/gDkhkjZnbQ

— Manasseh Azure Awuni (@Manasseh_Azure) December 8, 2024

Similarly, journalist Berla Mundi shared her observations: 

Gunshots in Ayawaso Central….There is confusion over fake ballots papers identified by vigilant persons and the police are struggling to control the crowd….#ElectionCommandCentre #ElectionCommandCenter

— B.You by Berla Mundi (@berlamundi) December 7, 2024

Social media played a significant role in the election, with politicians using it to campaign and connect with voters. However, it was also a tool for spreading misinformation before, during, and after the elections. In one instance, the results for a constituency were photoshopped, as shown in this tweet:

This is photoshopped!

Don't fall for fake news. Get all the TV3 collated results on https://t.co/GxGfMOOZNI or at https://t.co/Mm7AJ8UA8n #ElectionCommandCentre #TV3GH #3NewsGH https://t.co/7Ru9POngne pic.twitter.com/8oR4GBhcjk

— #TV3GH (@tv3_ghana) December 12, 2024

In another instance, a viral video featured a civilian man impersonating a member of the Ghana Navy, making false claims about President-elect Mahama.

In response to the challenges of misinformation, a coalition of civil society organizations known as the Ghana Fact-Checking Coalition launched a major initiative to combat disinformation before the elections. 

While Ghana’s election saw the historic election of the nation’s first female Vice President-elect, the representation of women candidates in Parliament showed only marginal improvement compared to the 2020 election. In 2020, 40 women — 20 from each of the two major parties — were elected. In 2024, this number increased to 41, with 32 women from the NDC and 9 from the NPP.

Trends from other elections in Africa

Across more than a dozen presidential and parliamentary elections that took place in Africa last year, in addition to Ghana, surprising developments unfolded in about six other countries.

While Senegal saw little-known opposition leader Bassirou Diomaye Faye emerge as Africa’s youngest president, Botswana marked a historic shift by electing Duma Boko, an opposition leader, for the first time in nearly 60 years, ending decades of single-party dominance.

The self-declared republic of Somaliland and Mauritius also witnessed opposition victories. In Mauritius, the governing party suffered a landslide defeat. The Alliance Lepep coalition, led by Pravind Jugnauth of the Militant Socialist Movement, secured only 27 percent of the vote and was reduced to just two seats in parliament. Meanwhile, the opposition Alliance du Changement swept 60 of the 66 available seats — one of the most complete political transformations imaginable.

However, in South Africa, the opposition fell short of victory, but the African National Congress (ANC) — in power since 1994 when Nelson Mandela became president after apartheid — failed to secure an outright majority. For the first time, the ANC was forced to form a coalition government. Similarly, Namibia's elections made history with the election of its first female president, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah. Although the ruling party retained power, it suffered its worst-ever parliamentary performance, losing 12 of its 63 seats and barely maintaining a majority. The opposition has since rejected the results, citing irregularities and logistical issues.

These election outcomes, coupled with widespread protests across the continent, highlight a shifting dynamic among African voters. Increasingly, citizens are prioritizing accountability and performance over party loyalty, using their votes and voices to demand change from governments that fail to address corruption, inefficiency, and unmet promises.

President-elect Mahama, who will be sworn in on January 7, 2025,  told VOA that his administration will focus on reducing inflation, stabilizing the economy, lowering the deficit, cutting expenditure, and increasing revenues. As Ghana's new leader assumes office with the other newly elected African presidents, the message from the electorate is clear: the same people who voted them into power will not hesitate to vote them out if they fail to deliver on their promises. 

Written by Zita Zage

An update from the Global Voices summit in Nepal

Originally published on Global Voices

Image by Ethan Zuckerman, used with permission.

At the Global Voices Summit 2024, held in Kathmandu, Nepal, in December, we had several public sessions over two days. This is a summary of one such session, first published by Ethan Zuckerman on his blog, and republished here with permission.

A massive part of Global Voices is the Rising Voices program led by Eddie Avila. As he puts it, Rising Voice is about “helping communities meet their self-determined needs” — often this means preserving languages and ensuring they thrive in digital spaces. Twenty language activists take the stage in Nepal at the 2024 Global Voices Summit to talk about language promotion efforts.

Preserving a language has multiple elements. It’s about ensuring that scripts are digitized, so that we can read and write a language online — this might include scanning and digitizing analog books, as well as designing contemporary fonts. (In one case, it means a calligraphy festival — Callijatra — to celebrate the calligraphy of Nepal’s languages.)

But preserving a language also means ensuring it’s used in modern times. A popular way of doing this is building a Wikipedia edition. We meet a volunteer with the Doteli Wikipedia, which has been underway since 2014. It was founded by a volunteer who wasn’t from the region where the language was spoken, but wanted to ensure the language survived. Now there is a Doteli speaker running the project, and as of 2017, it’s been a standalone Wikipedia project. There’s a digital dictionary for the language as well.

These challenges are not to be underestimated — there’s not a single, agreed upon script for Doteli. And volunteers in the project speak different dialects of the language. They’ve decided to solve the problem in action: let’s work together and see what emerges.

Another approach for linguistic survival is seeking a language’s presence in Google Translate. We hear from an organizer who’s worked to create enough of a corpus in Nepalbhasa, a language spoken by the Newar people, which has been threatened since Nepali has emerged as the dominant language in the country and particularly in the Kathmandu Valley. Much like creating a Wikipedia, a Google Translate instance is a way of ensuring a language is “on the map” globally, and offers infrastructure to ensure learners and less-experienced speakers can connect with content.

Much of the work Rising Voices has done over the years is with communities in Mexico, Central and South America, areas where indigenous languages are threatened by the emergence of Spanish as a regional language. Abisag “Abi” Aguilar from Quintana Roo, who is studying to be an elementary school teacher, makes TikTok and Instagram videos about traditional sweets and medicines in the Yucatec Mayan language. This work brings Mayan language into online spaces and is complemented by local arts and crafts workshops which create environments for children to learn about their culture and create environments where children feel safe speaking their languages.

Image by Ethan Zuckerman, used with permission.

Professor Genner Llanes-Ortiz has been working with Global Voices in partnership with UNESCO to create “Iniciativas digitales para lenguas Indigenas” — digital initiatives for indigenous languages — a toolkit in Spanish and English to help people preserve and promote their languages. The toolkit is the result of work since 2014, including annual meetings in Mexico which bring together indigenous language speakers to build a structure for protecting languages:

Facilitar (Facilitate)
Multiplicar (Expand)
Normalizar (Normalize)
Educar (Educate)
Recuperar (Recover)
Imaginar (Imagine)
Defender (Defend)
Proteger (Protect)

Within a framework like this, Genner showcases efforts like a First Languages map in Australia, culturally appropriate emojis and comics that celebrate local languages and cultures.

Our session closes with activists speaking their local languages, with explanations of why it’s so important to speak their language. (A screen behind the participants offers translation of their words). Here are some excerpts:

Amrit Sufi, speaking in Angika: “I see a future in which the new generation doesn’t feel inferior about speaking Angika and carries it forward joyfully.”

Janak Bhatta, speaking in Doteli: “Death of a language leads to the death of literature, culture and civilization. It is the death of heritage… Forgetting your mother language is like drowning and disappearing.”

Sadik Shahadu, speaking in Dagbani: I hope to see significant improvements for Dagbani in Machine learning applications, natural language processing (NLP) and language AI such as Google translate and ChatGPT.

Umasoye Igwe, speaking in Ekpeye: “I want to see my language being used by all members of my community as the primary language of communication offline and online.”

Siya Masuku, speaking in isiZulu: “In my context as a graphic novelist working in isiZulu, I would like to create stories that can be adapted from print to film, empower amaZulu to take ownership of their language revitalization efforts, and collaborate with other indigenous language communities to create language education programs and materials, research and academia.”

Subhashish Panigrahi, speaking in Balesoria-Odia: “To use digital tools for your language, social media is a great starting point because it helps you connect with the community, particularly the youth.”

I am periodically reminded how Global Voices has grown and evolved since Rebecca MacKinnon and I tried to feature blogs from outside the US to tech-savvy audiences in American academe and journalism communities. We focused on making other conversations visible to English-speaking audiences, sometimes translating, but always featuring work in English. It wasn’t Until Portnoy Zheng started translating stories from Global Voices that we even discussed other language editions of the site.

Now Global Voices Lingua publishes dozens of editions of the site in different languages, and we offer fair trade translation services that are used by many leaders in the open source and international development communities. Many GV authors write in their native language and have their words translated into English, French, Spanish or other global languages. And the work of Rising Voices means that our community is not just reaching Japanese and Russian, but Doteli and Dagbani.

Eddie’s work is probably the furthest from any work I’ve personally done on Global Voices – I am working hard to get better at Spanish and learn enough French to navigate my frequent visits to friends at Sciences Po in Paris. But I am absolutely convinced that the work Eddie and Rising Voices are doing to preserve and promote multilingualism online is some of the most important work to ever have come from our community.

Written by Ethan Zuckerman

The video game market in Africa is estimated to be worth 2.14 billion US dollars in 2024.

Originally published on Global Voices

Senegalese journalists participate in virtual reality training at the 2016 Gamecamp Summer in Dakar; photo by Kofi Sika Latzoo, used with permission.

As a highly innovative sector that generates new jobs, the creative economy encompasses several fields today, including music, art, cinema, and video games. The latter alone generates billions of US dollars within the African market.

According to the report Africa Gaming Market Size (2024–2029) by Mordor Intelligence, a consultancy and market research firm, the video game market in Africa is estimated to be worth over USD 2.14 billion in 2024. This figure could reach USD 3.72 billion by 2029.

Video games have strong appeal among African youth — of the continent’s 1.6 billion inhabitants, over 400 million are between the ages of 15 and 35. Gaming is not merely a pastime; it can also be a real profession, known as esports, which includes its own rules, tournaments, prize money, and international competitions, like the Olympics Esports Games set to be held in Saudi Arabia in 2025. To explore the significance of this industry, Global Voices spoke with Kofi Sika Latzoo, a Togolese expert based in Senegal.

Kofi Sika Latzoo; photo used with permission

Kofi is certified in creative industries entrepreneurship by the British Council, holds credentials in Social Impact Gamification, and has received an award from Microsoft for innovative educational expertise. A pioneer in Africa’s creative industries and art digitisation, he founded Gamecampcities Agency in 2012, an agency promoting video games and esports. He has been teaching esports management for seven years at Kedge Business School, on the Bordeaux and Paris campuses, and at Bem Africa in Dakar and Abidjan.

Jean Sovon (JS): Which African countries are leading in added value within the video game industry?

Kofi Sika Latzoo (KSL): En premier lieu, l'Afrique du Sud, qui est l'un des premiers pays africains à ériger des studios de développement de jeux vidéo: Free Live, l'un des plus anciens studios de développement de jeux vidéo sur le continent. C'est aussi l'un des rares pays à développer une fédération e-sport et le premier à faire partie des grandes instances de gouvernance de l'e-sport mondial. D’autres pays comme la Tunisie, l'Égypte, le Maroc, le Zimbabwe, le Ghana, et le Sénégal, qui est l'un des rares marchés francophones sont très dynamiques. Le Sénégal est aussi l'un des rares pays à avoir un cadre légal depuis 2020 pour la structuration de l'e-sport: le jeu vidéo compétitif et le développement de jeu vidéo. Le Togo aussi est en train de se structurer avec une fédération fraîchement naissante. De nombreux pays africains vont participer aux Jeux Olympiques e-sport en Arabie Saoudite: le Sénégal, le Maroc, le Togo, l'Égypte, la Tunisie, l'Afrique du Sud, la Zambie, le Zimbabwe, la Côte d'Ivoire, le Cap Vert, l’île Maurice, et le Kenya.

Kofi Sika Latzoo (KSL): Firstly, South Africa leads the way, being among the first African nations to have set up video game development studios, including Free Live, one of the oldest studios on the continent. It is also one of the few countries to establish an esports federation and the first to be part of major global esports governance bodies. Other countries, including Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco, Zimbabwe, Ghana, and Senegal — one of the rare French-speaking markets — are highly dynamic as well. Senegal is also one of the few countries to have a legal framework since 2020 for structuring esports, including competitive gaming and video game development. Togo, too, is organising itself with a newly established federation. Numerous African countries will participate in the Olympics Esports Games in Saudi Arabia, including Senegal, Morocco, Togo, Egypt, Tunisia, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Côte d'Ivoire, Cape Verde, Mauritius and Kenya.

JS: Do players actually benefit financially, or are they just consumers?

KSL : Il y a trois niveaux: amateurs, semi-professionnels et les professionnels et il faut être au second niveau pour bénéficier des retombées financières. Les amateurs se font connaître des différents tournois dans leurs pays. Ils passent ensuite à la seconde étape et deviennent des joueurs semi-professionnels. Ils commencent par avoir des jeux de prédilection. Il faut savoir qu'il y a 15 disciplines d'e-sport. A partir de ce moment-là, ils cherchent une marque qui va les sponsoriser et leur permettre de grandir. De là, ils peuvent voyager pour aller à des compétitions régionales ou à l'international.

En Afrique, plus de 90% des joueurs sont semi-pro. C'est très rare de voir un joueur pro, car cela veut dire que déjà vous n'avez pas un seul sponsor, mais plusieurs sponsors et vous êtes sous contrat. Tout autour de vous est contrôlé et vous faites des rapports réguliers à vos sponsors. Il n’existe que moins de 20 équipes professionnelles dans le monde, et 80% d'entre-elles qui arrivent à atteindre des évaluations de 10 à 30 millions de dollars [américains] , sont aux États-Unis. Il y en a une seule en Espagne, en France, en Angleterre et quelques-unes au Brésil.

Sur le continent, la majorité des équipes professionnelles et semi-professionnelles se trouve en Afrique du Sud avec des équipes comme Goliath Gaming. Il y en a aussi au Maroc, en Tunisie. On commence à avoir des équipes en Zambie avec la Team Gematrix qui arrive à avoir des tournois même jusqu'à Las Vegas. Il y a également une très bonne équipe au Sénégal, XamXamLions que j'ai créée moi-même en 2016 qui a déjà à son actif deux qualifications olympiques avec des joueurs sur contrat.

KSL: There are three levels — amateurs, semi-professionals, and professionals — and you need to be at the second level to benefit financially. Amateurs gain recognition through various tournaments in their countries. They then move on to the next stage and become semi-professional players, when often they start to specialise in their favourite games. Keep in mind that there are 15 esports disciplines, so at this stage, players seek out a sponsor to help them grow, enabling them to travel for regional or international competitions.

In Africa, over 90 percent of players are semi-professional. It’s very rare to see a professional player, as this requires not just one but multiple sponsors, as well as being under contract. Everything around you is closely managed, and you regularly report to your sponsors. There are fewer than 20 professional teams worldwide, and 80 percent of those valued between USD 10 and 30 million are based in the United States. There is only one team in Spain, in France, and in England, and a few in Brazil.

On the continent, most professional and semi-professional teams are based in South Africa, with teams like Goliath Gaming. There are also teams in Morocco and Tunisia. Zambia is starting to see growth as well, with Team Gematrix participating in tournaments as far as Las Vegas. Senegal also boasts a strong team, XamXamLions, which I founded in 2016 and which has already achieved two Olympic qualifications with contracted players.

JS: What is the contribution of the video game economy to the development of the African continent?

KSL : Le jeu vidéo est un marché de 800 milliards de dollars [américains] d'offres en Afrique. Mais pour avoir une vision globale de l'approche, le jeu vidéo, en termes d'industrie mondiale, c'est 300 milliards de dollars américains annuels de marché. Et l'e-sport, c'est un milliard de dollars de marché.

L'engouement pour la discipline est en train de se généraliser au niveau global et l'Afrique ne doit pas être en reste pour la simple raison que l'Afrique détient la plus jeune population. C'est le continent qui a la capacité de tout consommer et de tout créer. Les pays en tête sont l'Afrique du Sud et le Maroc. Au Maroc, l'opérateur Télécom Invi crée depuis 2012 des hackathons pour détecter des talents de développeurs de jeux ; embauche ces talents pour créer des jeux vidéo mobiles qui vont être lancés pendant la période du Ramadan. Invi détient déjà trois ligues e-sport au Maroc: une ligue professionnelle, une ligue universitaire et une ligue pour enfants. Il y a là une stratégie qui a été pensée et des investissements.

KSL: The video game market offers a USD 1.3 billion opportunity in Africa. For a broader perspective, the global video game industry is a USD 300-billion annual market, while esports alone represents a one-billion-dollar market.

The enthusiasm for this discipline is spreading globally, and Africa must keep pace, especially as it has the world’s youngest population. It’s a continent with the potential to consume and create on a large scale. Leading the way are South Africa and Morocco.

In Morocco, the telecom operator has been organising hackathons since 2012 to scout talented game developers and hiring them to create mobile video games that are released during Ramadan. Inwi already hosts three esports leagues in Morocco: a professional league, a university league, and a children’s league. This reflects a well-thought-out strategy and substantial investment.

JS: What is the relationship between sports and e-sports? And where does Togo, your home country, stand in this field?

KSL : Pas mal de figures sportives ont un intérêt pour la discipline et s'impliquent. Un très bon exemple est le cas de David Beckham, qui est propriétaire d'un club e-sport qui s'appelle Guild, alors qu'il détient aussi un club de football à Miami, où joue Lionel Messi.

Je pense qu'il y a une forte relation entre le sport et l’e-sport. On a même tendance à voir les deux fusionner, comme l'événement qu'on appelle les Jeux du Futur ou Games of Futures, qui est l'événement phygital qui implique des disciplines digitales comme des disciplines sportives et physiques. Le Bénin était présent à ces jeux du futur avec son équipe de basketball, et celle d’e-basketball ( le basketball en mode jeu vidéo).

Parlant du Togo, c’est une nation qui a un potentiel avéré, disposant plus de 32 salles de jeu dans la capitale Lomé, et une première participation à des championnats du monde organisés par Alibaba en 2016 sur les disciplines Hearthstone ( jeu de cartes en ligne). Le pays a aussi obtenu la médaille d'or aux derniers Jeux africains qui ont inclus de l'e-sport au Ghana. De plus, le président de l'association e-sport France est un franco-togolais.  Je suis moi-même, Togolais basé au Sénégal, professeur d'e-sport certifié avec plus de 100 événements produits dans le domaine du jeu vidéo et du jeu vidéo compétitif en Afrique. Le président de la fédération du Togo est un ancien formé par l'agence Gamecampcities. Nous avons donc tous les ingrédients possibles pour avoir une nation e-sport forte. Le Togo est aussi membre de la confédération africaine d’esports (CASE) dont le siège est basé au Sénégal. La CASE compte aujourd’hui 30 pays et a comme partenaire le géant informatique HP.

KSL: Quite a few sports figures are showing interest in the discipline and getting involved. A prime example is David Beckham, who owns an esports club called Guild, while also owning a football club in Miami, where Lionel Messi plays.

I think there is a close relationship between traditional sports and esports. We’re even beginning to see a fusion of the two, as with the event known as the Games of the Future, a phygital event blending digital disciplines with physical and athletic sports. Benin was represented at these Games of the Future with both its basketball team and its ebasketball team (basketball in video game form).

Speaking of Togo, it is a nation with proven potential. the capital, Lomé, counts over 32 gaming centres, and the country made its debut at the World Championships organised by Alibaba in 2016 in the Hearthstone (online card game) discipline. The country also won the gold medal at the last African Games, which included esports, held in Ghana. Additionally, the president of France's esports association is Franco-Togolese. I am myself Togolese, based in Senegal, a certified esports instructor, and I have produced over 100 events in video gaming and competitive gaming across Africa. The president of Togo’s federation is a former trainee of the Gamecampcities agency. We have all the necessary elements to build a strong esports nation. Togo is also a member of the African Esports Confederation (CASE), whose headquarters are in Senegal. CASE now includes 30 countries and has the tech giant HP as a partner.

Written by Jean Sovon Translated by Jean-Christophe Brunet · View original post [fr]

Celebrating historic African moments at the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games

Originally published on Global Voices

Paralympic Game Paris 2024 Men's 100 m T52 final. Image by Ibex73 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0).

By Adesewa Olofinko and Richard Wanjohi

The 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris were held from August 28 to September 8, marking a significant moment for African nations.

The continent showcased both remarkable achievements amidst ongoing challenges in para-sport across the continent. With approximately 4,400 athletes from around the world competing for 549 medals across 22 sports, Africa's representation was notable, with a total of 312 para-athletes participating from 44 countries.

African nations collectively secured 64 medals, surpassing their total from the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics by just one. The medal distribution included 23 gold medals among 8 countries, with Morocco leading the pack by earning 15 medals, including 3 golds. Algeria followed closely, achieving its first medal in para-canoeing, with Brahim Guendouz winning gold in the KL3 class. 

Record-breaking performances

Nigeria’s powerlifter and two-time Paralympic champion, Folashade Oluwafemiayo, etched her name in history by winning gold in the women’s 86 kg para-powerlifting category and becoming the first para-athlete in history to lift 166 kg. Similarly, Onyinyechi Mark broke the world record twice back-to-back in the women’s 61 kg category. She first lifted an impressive 147 kg to set a new record, only to surpass it moments later with a 150 kg lift, securing the gold medal for Nigeria. 

Nigeria's Mariam Eniola Bolaji also made history in badminton, becoming the first African player to win a medal in the sport at either the Paralympics or the Olympics. 

In athletics, Ethiopia's Tigist Mengistu defended her title in the women’s 1,500 m T13 race, while compatriot Yayesh Gate Tesfaw stunned the world by smashing the world record in the women’s 1,500 m T11 final. Fatima Ezzahra El Idrissi of Morocco added to the continent’s glory, demolishing the world record in the women’s T12 marathon by finishing in 2 hours, 48 minutes, and 36 seconds — shaving nearly six minutes off the previous mark.

In the men’s 100 m T13 final, Algeria’s Skander Djamil Athmani clinched gold with a new Paralympic record of 10.42 seconds. He also secured another gold in the men’s 400 m T13 event. Meanwhile, South Africa’s Simoné Kruger set a Paralympic record in discus with a throw of 38.70 meters, just 12 cm shy of the world record.

Other standout moments came from Mauritius, which celebrated its first-ever Paralympic medal when Yovanni Philippe secured bronze in the men’s T20 400 m race. 

Among those solidifying their legacies was Tunisia's Raoua Tlili, who won two more golds, bringing her career total to 8 Paralympic golds and 10 overall medals. 

Swimming at the Paralympic Games. Image by Ibex73 on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

The excitement surrounding the Games was palpable on social media platforms, which have become a vital platform for African athletes and supporters to share their journeys and rally public support. Fans across the continent were using platforms like Instagram and Facebook to follow their favorite athletes, celebrate their milestones, and push for better recognition of Paralympic sports.

On X (formerly Twitter), the African Paralympic Committee shared updates and celebrated athletes’ achievements;

“Team Nigeria” Folashade Oluwafemiayo wins a gold medal at the Paralympics, and she sets a new world record in the women's over 86kg Para-Powerlifting category, becoming the first Para-athlete to lift 166kg.

Photo credit: MakingOfChamps/Twitter pic.twitter.com/NP8JogoNHC

— Legit.ng | Leading the way (@legitngnews) September 8, 2024

Team South Africa also paid tribute to their parathletes;

SIX medals for Team South Africa at the Paralympics! Our athletes have pushed their limits, inspiring the nation with their unstoppable spirit and dedication. You've made Mzansi proud! #TeamSA #ForMyCountry #Paralympics pic.twitter.com/6WwskNZkvM

— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) September 10, 2024

Nigeria's Mariam Eniola Bolaji was also commended for her achievement:

The first African athlete to win a Paralympic medal in badminton: Nigeria's Mariam Eniola Bolaji pic.twitter.com/HdE4aoM0L3

— ESPN Africa (@ESPNAfrica) September 2, 2024

The 2024 Paralympic Games also provided an opportunity to spotlight the ongoing challenges facing African athletes with disabilities despite the successes achieved. Issues like inadequate funding, lack of access to proper training facilities and infrastructure, and limited media coverage continue to hinder progress. Social media has played a vital role in highlighting these issues, with advocacy groups urging more investment in Paralympic sports on the continent.

Samson Deen, president of the African Paralympic Committee, while speaking with BBC Sport Africa, commended the athletes for their exceptional performances and emphasized the need for increased support:

“African athletes have shown that if our governments and our people lift up support, they are going to perform much, much better.”

As the Paralympic flag was handed over to Los Angeles in a spirited closing ceremony, the world will now turn its attention to the 2028 Games.

Looking ahead to the Los Angeles Olympic Games in 2028, an area of priority for Africa will be to increase the number of entries and the level of competition. There were 312 para-athletes sent from 44 nations on the continent, with nine countries having just one representative.

The second African Paralympic Games are planned for 2027, with the hosts to be selected before the end of this year. This is after a successful inaugural Games held in Accra, Ghana, in 2023.  It will be an opportunity for the best para-athletes from the continent to compete at the highest level. 

Written by Richard Wanjohi, Guest Contributor

The tension can be traced back to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians in South Africa

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot of a Bolt driver and user from YouTube video, ‘10,000 Drivers ordered over South Africa vs Nigeria Bolt War Trend!‘ by Cla6iQ Tv Worldwide. Fair use.

By Adesewa Olofinko and Zita Zage

Last Thursday, August 22, several accounts on X, (formerly Twitter) shared posts about users in South Africa booking trips on ride-hailing apps in Nigeria and then canceling them. Nigerians retaliated by ordering rides and other items in different parts of South Africa and then canceling those, as well. One user on X shared:

#InCaseYouMissedIt
Good morning Tweeps pic.twitter.com/rUjjiGdYfr

— Miss Ziprusha (@destinyzee) August 21, 2024

Another added:

Now they about to get ghost trips everyday, atleast 10-15 fake trips a day pic.twitter.com/d2NdUeorle

— Maedi Vincent Segooa (@MaediSegooa) August 21, 2024

As highlighted in this YouTube video by Cla6ic TV Worldwide, users accomplished this by downloading a VPN and setting their location to either South Africa or Nigeria. They would then order a Bolt or Uber, check the driver's name to identify if they were South African or Nigerian, and let the driver start the journey before canceling the ride.

The online conflict extended beyond ride requests, with some Nigerians placing fake food orders from South African businesses as shown in the post below:

South Africa has restaurants where you can order food and pay at delivery.

I no talk anything

— Harry (@chiditweets042) August 22, 2024

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Dylan Page (@dylanpage.ning)

“But what exactly is going on with Nigeria and South Africa? We are not even neighbours, so where does this rivalry come from?” a Nigerian user, Princepee, asked on a popular Nigerian online forum known as Nairaland.

This “online war” began earlier this month when a South African model, Chidinma Adetshina, who is of Nigerian descent, withdrew from the Miss South Africa 2024 pageant amid a heated argument about her nationality. Her mixed heritage sparked controversy, leading some South Africans to demand her removal.

Following a request from the Miss South Africa organisers and the outcry from South Africans, the South Africa Home Affairs Department conducted an investigation into Adetshina’s citizenship. Their findings revealed that Adetshina's father is Nigerian, and her mother has Mozambican roots. They also suggested that Adetshina’s mother may have committed identity fraud. As a result, Adetshina was forced to withdraw from the Miss South Africa pageant. This angered many Nigerians, who invited her to participate in Miss Universe Nigeria instead.

Adding fuel to the fire, during the recently concluded Olympics in Paris, when South Africa won silver in the men's 4 x 100 metres relay, President Cyril Ramaphosa posted on X: “Well done Bayanda Walaza, Bradley Nkoana, Shaun Maswanganyi, and Akani Simbine, on seizing the baton of Olympic success with your silver medal performance in the 4 x 100 m relay. You have proved it’s possible to stay in your lane and conquer the world at the same time.”

Some perceived this as a jab at Nigerians, who returned home empty-handed from the Olympics . The president's tweet implied that Nigerians often don't stay in their own lane but prefer to cross into others’ lanes. One user on X commented:

My President is cooking “ It’s possible to stay in your “lane” and conquer the world at the same time “ pic.twitter.com/rvZu1oDXzI

— Khanyisile Jamani (@Jamani_Khanyi) August 9, 2024

While Nigeria is often engaged in a playful “jollof war” with neighboring Ghana, the exchanges between Nigeria and South Africa carry a more serious tone. Since the end of apartheid, the relationship between these two major African economies has been described as a love-hate dynamic. This latest digital feud using transportation apps, is negatively affecting the livelihoods of these drivers, who have become pawns in this malicious game.

Responding to the situation, Bolt’s Country Manager for Nigeria, Yahaya Mohammed, told the BBC that the ride-hailing app had restricted inter-country ride requests due to the escalation of these incidents.

“Bolt is aware of the fake ride request situation between individuals in Nigeria and South Africa. We are committed to ensuring a safe, reliable, and secure experience for all members of our community,” said Mohammed.

The tension between the two nations can be traced back to xenophobic attacks against Nigerians living in South Africa. During the attacks in 2019, Nigerian-owned shops and businesses were reportedly targeted by mobs. According to a report by BBC news, many Nigerians in South Africa have greater skills and education than the locals, giving them an advantage in the job market. However, South Africans blame Nigerians for organized crime, particularly drug trafficking.

Historically, Nigeria played an active role in opposing South Africa's apartheid regime. During the apartheid era, the Nigerian government issued more than 300 passports to South Africans seeking to travel abroad. The country also boycotted the 1978 Commonwealth Games and led the 1986 Commonwealth Games.  In 1977, Nigerian musician Sonny Okosun wrote the international hit song Fire in Soweto to commemorate the 1976 Soweto uprising, which helped bring the apartheid regime into the international spotlight and contributed to its eventual downfall. This article by Anthony Okosun further highlights how Nigeria helped to free South Africa from apartheid.

Considering their shared history of struggle and solidarity, it remains to be seen whether both nations will address underlying issues and work toward rebuilding a relationship rooted in mutual respect and understanding.

Written by Zita Zage, Guest Contributor

South African music reflects the country's complex cultural heritage

Originally published on Global Voices

Dizu Plaatjies & The Ibuyambo Ensemble musical group. Image by Ninara from Flickr (CC BY 4.0 Deed).

From the upbeat tempo of kwela to the now sensational amapiano, South Africa possesses a rich musical landscape that comprises a kaleidoscope of genres, each one a unique expression of the country's multifaceted identity. 

The country’s rhythms have transcended borders, captivating audiences around the world with their unique blend of traditional and modern influences. Contemporary artists like Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Wouter Kellerman, Brenda Fassie, Mandla Mofokeng, Seether, Die Antwoord, Jeremy Loops, Yvonne Chaka Chaka, Lucky Dube, Goldfish, Freshlyground, Black Coffee, Anatii and Tyla have cemented South Africa's place on the global music stage, fusing diverse genres and pushing creative boundaries.

Their success has not only showcased the country's musical talent but has also contributed to a greater understanding and appreciation of its complex cultural heritage.

In this article, we delve into the rich history of some of South Africa's unique sounds with Mtsotso Avela, a sound engineer who is passionate about South African music as shown on his TikTok channel. Here is a shortened version of Global Voices’ interview with Avela.

Zita Zage (ZZ): Tell us about yourself and why you are interested in South African music. 

Mtsotso Avela (MA): I am a young South African professional who regards himself as a multimedia specialist. I have vast experience and qualifications in several fields.

I am a sound engineer, digital marketer, artist manager, radio presenter, content producer, and creator. I do most, if not everything, in the media and entertainment industry. I am what you may call a digital entrepreneur. 

I grew up in the eastern part of the country in a town called Queenstown which is the land of the Xhosa-speaking people, which I am one of, and that’s where my love of entertainment showed itself.

In high school, between 2008 and 2012, I was the school's DJ. We hosted events and civic days where I would set up the system, and all acts would submit their songs prior to the performance. Even now, I am still doing this as a music compiler for a radio show that I present at Sauma HD radio, which is an online station that plays 90 percent of unknown artists and pop music. 

I am incredibly passionate about what I do and my ultimate goal is to make an impact in the industry and to continuously learn. 

ZZ: During the struggle for freedom, which musical genre emerged and how did it influence the struggle for freedom?

MA: One of the musical genres which emerged was kwela music.

This is a genre that emerged in the early 1950s in the townships of Johannesburg. It uses a significant instrument, which is a penny whistle, that is foreign or not South African originated.

This music genre wasn't focused on protesting or fighting against oppression. Instead, it had a lively, upbeat tempo that brought people together. It made sure everyone could have a good time and feel included. 

The word “kwela” originates from the Zulu and Xhosa languages and has two meanings – the literal translation is to climb, mount, raise or “get on board.”

The term is also a reference to getting “on board” the local police vans, colloquially known as “kwela-kwela.” Local busking musicians who performed in shebeens faced police harassment and were often at risk of being arrested under apartheid law. The young men who played the penny whistle on street corners also acted as lookouts, often shouting, “Here comes the kwela, kwela!” to warn these musicians of the arrival of the arrival.  White people, unaware of the kwela kwela meaning, mistakenly thought that it referred to the music.

Another genre which emerged was African jazz:

Jazz in South Africa played a significant role in telling the world about the state of the country. Although I cannot really give a date of its emergence, it is said it was around shortly after World War I, around 1918 and this introduction was via Cape Town.

I can surely tell that it was used as a tool and a voice to speak against the apartheid government. Even the music band Mahlathini and the Mahotella Queens, who were not overtly political, sometimes alluded to the miseries of apartheid or praised Nelson Mandela in their songs. Hence, we had a lot of jazz artists go into exile or self-exile due to the police then wanting to arrest them for speaking against apartheid. For instance, artists like Chicco Twala, who wrote the song “Manelo,” (referring to Nelson Mandela) and the likes of Brenda Fassie or any artist for that matter, couldn’t mention Mandela’s name on any of their music as it was criminal to do so. Several songs were banned, including Johnny Clegg and Savuka's song, Asimbonanga dedicated to Mandela.

And here’s just one song that is Jazz that depicts the then states :

As the song says, “We miss you Manelo (Mandela). This was when he was in prison for years with other comrades and the music kept the fight going stronger.

In March 1960, the first in a series of small uprisings occurred in an event known as the Sharpeville Massacre. Censorship was dramatically increased by the apartheid government, which led to the shutting down of all venues and events that catered to or employed both Black and white individuals. Gatherings of more than 10 people were also declared illegal. As a result, a mass exodus was created of jazz musicians leaving South Africa seeking work. Among these were trumpeter Hugh Masekela and vocalists Miriam Makeba (nicknamed “Mama Africa”), Letta Mbulu, and Dorothy Masuka.

ZZ: During the era of Makeba, Masekela, how did the protest songs help galvanise the anti-apartheid movement?

MA: I would suggest that you watch a movie called Sarafina. It is available on Netflix and DSTV, and do a search on YouTube for Sarafina Broadway, as well. 

As a child, I grew up listening to this recording. Also, watching movies like When We Were Black gave or painted a picture for me of how things were back then. Without any use of much technology the youth back then used their voices to fight. It was not only the youth who were fighting but the women, too, who were against the use of the dompass (the pass document used to enforce apartheid laws). 

In June 1976, during the Soweto uprising, more than 20,000 women of all races marched to Pretoria's Union Buildings, to present a petition against the carrying of passes by women to the prime minister, J.G. Strijdom. The women sang a freedom chant song: “Wathint’ abafazi  wathint’ imbokodo” (“You strike a woman, you strike a rock”). And the likes of Lillian Ngoyi, Helen Joseph, Rahima Moosa and Sophia Williams-De Bruyn were at the forefront of the march. When all these marches were happening, they would sing loud and hard for everyone to hear and to join the movement of liberation.

These songs weren’t just sung but they were also a message and a direction or call to action of what must happen at that present moment, “iGwijo” or chants that say, “An injury to one is an injury to all” suggested that we’re not going anywhere and I will fight. A song: “Asiwafuni amagwala sifuna amaqabane ka Thambo, ka Mandela” (“We don’t want cowards, we want comrades of O.R Thambo and Mandela and the struggle heroes”).

ZZ: What musical genre is popular now, and how has it impacted the industry?

MA: Amapiano is the most popular right now.

Emerging in the mid-2010s, amapiano is a sub-genre of kwaito and house music, blending deep house, jazz, soul, and lounge music. It is distinguished by its use of synths, wide percussive basslines, and the distinctive log drum sound pioneered by MDU TRP. The genre's rise saw significant shifts in the music scene, exemplified by Major League DJz, who transitioned from New Age Kwaito (NAK) to globally touring amapiano artists.

Amapiano has become a phenomenon, with new hits and dance challenges emerging regularly and gaining worldwide popularity. For instance, the Tshwala Bam dance challenge featured participation from celebrities like Chris Brown and Jason Derulo:

@tresori_25 Chris brown dancing to tshwala bam ——-.————————————-.————.———-#1111tour #chrisbrown #chrisbrownofficial #chrisbrownexclusives #chrisbrownworld#teambreezy #chrisbreezybrown #chrisbrownconcert #chrisbrowntiktok #chrisbrownfans #chrisbrownfanpage #chrisbreezy #teambreezy #chrisbrownvibes #chrisbrownvideos #rnbvibes #rnbmusic#teambreezy4life #breezyseason #breezyera #fyp #foryou #fypシ #viral #viralvideo #viraltiktok #foryoupage #f #explor #explorepage #foryou #foryourpage ♬ original sound – 𝕀𝕥’𝕤 𝕓𝕣𝕖𝕖𝕫𝕪

The genre's influence is vast, catapulting artists like Tyla, who became a global superstar just a few years after releasing one song:

From the defiant tones of protest songs to the irresistible rhythms of amapiano, South African music stands as a testament to the country's indomitable spirit and its enduring ability to captivate the world with the boundless creativity of its people.

Written by Zita Zage

Top seven standout achievements for African athletes in Paris

Originally published on Global Voices

Spectators’ view of the Stade de France, 2018. Image by Darthvadrouw on Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed).

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games have come to an end, and as the excitement fades and the dust settles on what was an exhilarating and unpredictable competition in Paris, it's the perfect time to reflect on and celebrate the top standout moments from African athletes. These moments not only highlight the continent's remarkable achievements but also showcase the incredible talent and determination that defined Africa's presence at the Games.

Beatrice Chebet – Kenya

Twenty-four-year-old Beatrice Chebet made history in Paris at her first Olympic Games, winning back-to-back golds in both the 5,000 m and 10,000 m races. This remarkable achievement solidified her place in Kenya's athletic history, and with it, she also became the third woman in history to win both events at the same Olympic Games.

Chebet claimed the gold medal in the women’s 5,000 meters with a time of 14:28.56. In a highly anticipated race, she triumphed over defending champion Sifan Hassan, reigning world champion Faith Kipyegon, and world record holder Gudaf Tsegay.

Chebet remained with the pack for most of the race, but when Kipyegon surged to the front, Chebet followed closely, outpacing her in the final hundred meters to become the Olympic champion.

According to Kenyans.co news, Chebet dedicated her victory to all Kenyans, stating, “I’m dedicating this medal to all Kenyans. I want to hear that my country is proud. This was for you, you were in my mind and heart in every lap. I might have made history but I will sleep better knowing Kenyans will enjoy the weekend.” 

Faith Kipyegon – Kenya

Another historic moment was Faith Kipyegon‘s thrilling victory in the 1500 m, where she won her third consecutive Olympic gold, becoming the first athlete, male or female, to achieve this feat in the event.

Kipyegon, already regarded as one of the best long-distance runners in the world, holds world records in both the 1,500 m and one-mile events. She shared her pride and gratitude in an Instagram post:

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Faith Kipyegon (@faithkipyegon)

Emmanuel Wanyonyi – Kenya

In a tight finish with Canada’s Marco Arop, Kenya's 20-year-old Emmanuel Wanyonyi clinched Olympic gold in the Men's 800 m race at Paris 2024. He became the youngest runner ever to win the event, in this, his first Olympic Games.

Wanyonyi finished with a time of 1:41.19, making it the third-fastest time in history, just 0.2 seconds short of David Rudisha‘s world record of 1:40.91 set at the 2012 London Olympics. He triumphed in fierce competition with Arop, who claimed silver in 1:41.20, a continental record, and Algeria's Djamel Sedjati, who took bronze with a time of 1:41.50.

Joshua Cheptegei – Uganda

Joshua Cheptegei delivered a lifetime performance, making Uganda proud by winning gold in the 10,000 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a record time of 26 minutes 43.14 seconds, breaking the previous Olympic record set by Kenenisa Bekele, the previous world record-holder over the distance.

As noted by World Athletics, Cheptegei gave a thrilling performance by launching his attack from 600 meters out, crossing the finish line in 26:43.14. This broke the 16-year-old Olympic record set by Kenenisa Bekele.

Letsile Tebogo – Botswana

Twenty-one-year-old Letsile Tebogo made history by becoming the first athlete from Botswana to win an Olympic gold medal. He achieved this feat by winning the 200 meters in 19.46 seconds, setting a new African record.

Tebogo's performance electrified the Stade de France crowd on August 8 as he upset pre-race favorite Noah Lyles, denying him the coveted sprint double. Lyles, who had won the Olympic 100 m title days earlier, couldn't keep up with Tebogo's impressive speed and finished third, taking bronze with a time of 19.70 seconds, behind fellow US sprinter Kenneth Bednarek, who finished second in 19.62 seconds.

Tebogo also won a silver medal in the Men's 4×400 m relay.

In honor of Tebogo’s victory, Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi declared a public holiday, and as noted by Africa Facts Zone, 30,000 Botswana citizens filled up their national stadium to welcome him back to the country.

Tamirat Tola – Ethiopia

Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola made history at the Paris Olympics by becoming the first Ethiopian to win gold in the men's marathon since 2000.

According to World Athletics, Tola, a late addition to the Ethiopian team, claimed the marathon title with an Olympic record time of 2:06:26. He achieved this remarkable victory under brutal heat and humidity on a challenging, hilly course, while Belgium’s Bashir Abdi earned the silver medal with a time of 2:06:47.

South Africa Men's relay team

This list will not be complete without a mention of the South African men’s 4×100 m relay team, consisting of Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoana, Bayanda Walaza, and Shaun Maswanganyi. 

At the Paris 2024 Games, the South African men’s 4x100m relay team won their first Olympic medal in this event. They secured the silver medal, finishing just behind Canada. Akani Simbine ran the final leg and successfully overtook several competitors to secure second place for the team. 

As compared to other African countries, Kenya emerged top on the Paris 2024 Olympics Medal Table with 11 medals (4 gold, 2 silver and 5 bronze), followed by South Africa with 6 medals (1 gold, 3 silver and 2 bronze). Ethiopia, Egypt and Botswana emerged with 4, 3 and 2 medals, respectively. 

These outstanding moments are a testament to Africa’s growing influence on the global sporting stage, and they will be celebrated for years to come as symbols of perseverance, talent, and national pride. As the Olympic flame moves on, the legacy of these athletes will continue to burn brightly, inspiring future generations to reach for greatness.

Written by Zita Zage

‘To be honest, I just feel that all of this is Black-on-Black hate …’

Originally published on Global Voices

Screenshot of Chidimma Adetshina from YouTube, ‘Miss SA 2024 Finalist Chidimma Adetshina’s Participation Sparks Debate‘ by Skai Cole Podcast. Fair use.

A South African model, Chidimma Vanessa Owen Adetshina, advanced to the top 13 contestants of the Miss South Africa beauty pageant, only to face backlash on social media over her eligibility to compete because of her nationality.

One user on X (formerly Twitter) said:

She might have dual IDs, but that doesn't make her South African. She's still 100% Nigerian.

— P_MAX (@DDT_PM) July 17, 2024

Another added:

That’s not a SA model, we don’t know that imposter pic.twitter.com/j1ttXG0Qru

— Tebogo Koma (@TheGeopol) July 21, 2024

Others asked her to withdraw from the contest and even went ahead to sign a petition.

She has 3 days to pull out of Miss SA or there won’t be Miss South Africa next week, court papers are ready pic.twitter.com/qKf51nR4fZ

— Gobetse (@TheRealGobetse) July 29, 2024

As highlighted by Times Live news, social media users’ debates heated up this week after a video emerged online showing Adetshina with a group of family members, some wearing Nigerian traditional attire, celebrating her success in the competition. This video, shown in the tweet below, fueled the argument that she was not “South African enough” to compete for the title.

Dear @Official_MissSA, the pan africanists have been telling us that having a South African ID makes you one. Well, what about patriotism, what about celebrating it's people and culture. Based on this video I don't see a proud SAn, I see a proud Nigerian. What a disgrace. pic.twitter.com/GxgLheFyMq

— Julius Oaganga (@afroghanga) July 29, 2024

Some prominent politicians were involved in the discussion. The leader of ActionSA Party, Herman Mashaba said on X, “This young woman is compromising herself by identifying with characters who are likely in South Africa illegally. Bad idea.”

Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema addressed the matter during the party's podcast interview last week, saying, “Your citizenship is determined by where you were born, so if she was born here, she’s South African. It doesn’t matter. She’s not her parents, she’s herself. So why say she’s from Nigeria or Mozambique? She was born here.”

Gayton McKenzie, the South African minister of sports, arts and culture, expressed concern about Adetshina's participation and stated he would look into the matter.

According to Sowetan Live, Adetshina was born in Soweto to a South African mother and a Nigerian father; her mother also has Mozambican roots. The 23-year-old law student and model was raised in Soweto but later moved to Cape Town, and she says she has spent her whole life in South Africa.

Adetshina told Sowetan Live in an interview, “At first I ignored it, but as I progressed in the competition, the criticism started growing. I thought to myself, I am representing a country, but I don’t feel the love from the people I’m representing. I even asked myself, is it worth it?”

She added, “To be honest, I just feel that all of this is Black-on-Black hate as I’m not the only one in this competition who has a surname that’s not South African. I just feel like the attention is on me because of my skin colour which I think is a disadvantage … it’s also been something I had to overcome growing up.”

According to News Live, the Miss SA pageant organization confirmed that Adetshina has met all the requirements to participate in the pageant. The entry requirements, as highlighted by TRT Afrika, include that a contestant must be a South African citizen and in possession of a valid South African ID document or passport. If the applicant holds dual citizenship, details of both nationalities must be provided.

Meanwhile, another contestant, Sherry Wang, who is competing for the third time, has received some negative comments but not nearly as much as Adetshina has received and continues to receive.

South African Model, Sherry Wang's entry video for Miss South Africa 2024.

She won the Fan Vote which placed her among the Top 25 contestants.

This is her third entry into Miss South Africa. pic.twitter.com/FGvwhv6lU9

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) July 21, 2024

This TikTok video by TRT Afrika notes that Vanessa Do Céu Carreira won the Miss South Africa contest in 2001 despite having parents of Portuguese and Angolan heritage.

Some people believe the attack against Adetshina is xenophobic, as migrants have faced discrimination and increasing violence in South Africa since 1994, with the most recent being the formation of the group Operation Dudula.

As highlighted in this TikTok video, there is a fear among South African citizens that foreigners, mostly African immigrants, are coming in to steal their jobs and commit crimes, which is overwhelmingly not supported by facts or data. According to the TikTok video, this problem is perpetuated by politicians who take advantage of immigrants, scapegoating them for the difficulties many South Africans face. They blame foreign immigrants to avoid taking responsibility for their own failures and redirect the fury towards the most vulnerable, who are often immigrants trying to make a life in this country.

Written by Zita Zage

A look at five runners from Kenya, South Africa and Uganda.

Originally published on Global Voices

100 m final men at the World Championships Athletics DOHA 2019. Image by filip bossuyt on Flickr (CC BY 4.0 ).

The 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France, commencing on July 26, will draw the best athletes from across the globe. Unlike in the Winter Olympics, Africa will be well-represented among the competitors. 

As noted by Okay Africa, East African nations Ethiopia and Kenya are known for their dominance in long-distance running. This year, both nations aim to secure gold medals and global bragging rights. Nigeria, South Africa, Uganda, Botswana, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Ghana are also poised to make their mark at the Paris Olympics, as they all qualified across multiple relay events and sports.

Let's explore five of the fastest African athletes who are set to make waves and potentially raise their country’s flags at this year's Games.

Ferdinand Omanyala: Africa’s fastest man

Despite Kenya's long-distance dominance, Ferdinand Omanyala, who earned the title of Africa’s fastest man in 2021, is going to the Paris Olympics set on proving that the East African country is also the home of the fastest African sprinters.

Omanyala's journey to the top of the sprinting world is nothing short of inspirational. With a personal best of 9.77 seconds in the 100 meters, he has shattered African records and made a significant impact on the international scene.

Omanyala's meteoric rise began when he switched from rugby to athletics, a move that has evidently paid off. His commitment and intense training have thrust him into the limelight, earning him a spot in the Netflix documentary Sprint: The World’s Fastest Humans. The film highlights Omanyala's achievements and places him alongside notable athletes such as U.S. Olympic and world champion Noah Lyles, Italian Olympic champion Lamont Marcel Jacobs, and the legendary Jamaican world record holder Usain Bolt.

Earlier this year, Omanyala told Sports Eye, “I want to change everything about sprints in this country. Not that we don’t have the talent. The talent is there because we are very good at rugby. The only thing that we did not have is that strong mentality that ‘you can do this.’ That’s the ceiling that was hindering so many people from doing it.”

Omanyala’s performance at the African Athletic Championships and Commonwealth Games has solidified his status as a top contender for the Paris Olympics. As the Games approach, all eyes will be on Omanyala to see if he can dethrone the world's best and bring home the gold.

Akani Simbine: South Africa’s sprint star

According to Durban-based radio station, Gagasi FM, South African sprinter Akani Simbine has been the undisputed king of African sprinting for the last decade. He has consistently ranked among the world’s best in the 100 meters. Simbine placed fifth in the men's 100 meters at the 2016 Summer Olympics and held the African record for the 100 meters with a time of 9.84 seconds set in July 2021, until it was broken by Ferdinand Omanyala in September 2021.

Simbine has an impressive list of accolades, including being a finalist in the men's 100 meters at the World Championships in 2017 (fifth place) and 2019 (fourth place). He won the 100 meters at the 2018 African Championships and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. In the 4 × 100 meters relay, he helped South Africa win at the African Championships in 2016 and 2018 and secured second place at the 2018 Commonwealth Games with a South African record time of 38.24 seconds. He also anchored South Africa to gold at the 2021 World Relays.

Simbine's recent performances have shown that he is peaking at the right time. Running a season’s best of 9.93 seconds ahead of the Olympics, he has positioned himself as a strong contender for a medal in Paris. His explosive speed out of the blocks and his ability to maintain top-end speed make him a thrilling athlete to watch.

Faith Kipyegon: The middle-distance queen

Faith Kipyegon is another Kenyan powerhouse renowned for her dominance in middle-distance events. She recently broke her own world record in the women's 1,500 meters at the Paris Diamond League, clocking 3:49.04. Kipyegon is aiming to become a three-time consecutive Olympic gold medalist in her favorite distance.

Kipyegon, 30, is set to defend her 1,500-meters Olympic title in Paris after qualifying to run both the 1,500-meters and 5,000-meters races at the Kenya Olympic trials in June. At the Rio De Janeiro Olympics in 2016 and the Tokyo Olympics 2020 (held in 2021), she took home gold. Her recent performances highlight her exceptional skills and determination, and she showed her gratitude in an Instagram post: “”I am so happy to break the world record over my favorite distance again. Thank you everyone for the support and thank you Paris. I can’t wait to come back to defend my Olympic title!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Faith Kipyegon (@faithkipyegon)

Kipyegon has also become a symbol of inspiration for women athletes, balancing her career with motherhood after giving birth to her daughter, Alyn, in 2018. “I wanted to motivate young mothers, so that they can go on maternity leave and return to work,” she told Citizen TV.

Eliud Kipchoge: The marathon legend

Kenya's Eliud Kipchoge, widely regarded as the greatest marathon runner of all time, continues to push the boundaries of human endurance. He is the Olympic marathon champion for both 2016 and 2020 and held the marathon world record from 2018 to 2023 with a time of 2:01:09 set at the 2022 Berlin Marathon. This record was surpassed by Kelvin Kiptum at the 2023 Chicago Marathon, who finished with a time of 2:00:35. Additionally, he has recorded four of the ten fastest marathon times in history.

The two-time Olympic marathon champion will also be looking to win his third gold medal in Paris.

Kipchoge took to Instagram to express his excitement ahead of the Games, saying, “I always say the Olympic dream is a special dream. The Olympic Games is what we all dream of as little kids starting out with our sport and is what motivates us the most today. I am beyond proud to be selected for the Kenyan team for the 5th time in my life. After winning the marathon gold medal in Rio de Janeiro and Tokyo, my focus will now be on Paris!”

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Eliud Kipchoge – EGH (@kipchogeeliud)

Joshua Cheptegei: Africa's long-distance dynamo

Joshua Cheptegei, a Ugandan long-distance runner, currently holds the world records for the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters as well as the world's best time for the 15 kilometers distance. In 2020, he became the first person to run the 5 kilometers distance in under 13 minutes, setting the world record for this distance at 12:51.

Besides being the current Olympic champion in the 5,000 meters, Cheptegei has also won the world championship three times in the 10,000 meters. He is only the tenth man in history to simultaneously hold the world records for both the 5,000 meters and 10,000 meters, both of which he set in 2020. He also won gold medals in these distances at the 2018 Commonwealth Games and the 2019 IAAF World Cross Country Championships.

Cheptegei’s performances at the World Championships and the Diamond League have distinguished him from his peers. As he heads to the Paris Olympics, he aims to add more Olympic gold to his list of achievements. His strategic racing and powerful finishing kick make him a formidable competitor in any distance event.

As the world tunes in to watch these athletes compete, they will undoubtedly inspire millions and potentially etch their names in the annals of Olympic history.

Written by Zita Zage

She is the first Black South African woman to compete at Wimbledon

Originally published on Global Voices

Kgothatso Montjane at the 2017 US Open. Image by Anna Vasalaki from Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0 Deed).

In an awe-inspiring culmination of determination, resilience, and exceptional talent, South Africa’s Kgothatso Montjane made history on July 14, 2024, by winning the Wimbledon Women's Wheelchair Doubles title alongside her partner, Yui Kamiji from Japan.

South African Tennis Player, Kgothatso Montjane and Yui Kamiji have won the Wimbledon Ladies’ Wheelchair Doubles title.

This is their third Grand Slam title together. pic.twitter.com/FgkmZeSeNz

— Africa Facts Zone (@AfricaFactsZone) July 14, 2024

Montjane, affectionately known as “KG,” hails from Seshego, Polokwane, in the Limpopo province of South Africa. Born with a congenital condition that led to the amputation of her left leg below the knee at age 12, Montjane faced challenges from an early age. In an interview with the International Tennis Federation (ITF), she described her childhood:

When I was a kid a lot of people would stare at me. I didn’t know what they were staring at and sometimes they refused to play with me and I didn’t understand why, but as I grew up I began to understand why they didn’t want to play with me — because I wasn’t fast enough. And I have come to understand why they were staring at me, simply because I was differently abled. It was quite a tough childhood to grow up with a disability.

Her mother was still in school when she was born, so her grandmother played a significant role in raising her. “Obviously being born with a disability, I struggled to go to a normal school. So my parents decided to take me to a special school where I found other people with disabilities. It was a very accessible place and a great environment for me to grow up in,” she recalls.

According to a report by Dunlop Sports, Montjane began her tennis journey at 19, during her final year of high school, by attending a wheelchair tennis clinic in Pretoria, South Africa. Having no prior exposure to tennis, she quickly grasped the basics, likely due to her experience in table tennis. In 2011, she had the chance to play tennis full-time on tour, which inspired her to improve and strive to compete at the same level as the players she admired.

Montjane turned professional in 2005 and has since become a prominent figure in wheelchair tennis. She was named South Africa's Sportswoman with a Disability of the Year three times, in 2005, 2011, and 2015.

In 2018, she made history as the first Black South African woman to compete at Wimbledon, a milestone that highlighted her role as a trailblazer in the sport. Over the years, she has consistently shown her skills on the international stage, reaching the quarter and finals in three of the four Grand Slam tournaments: the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open. She holds 29 singles titles and has won tournaments such as the wheelchair Belgian Open and Swiss Open.  She is ranked in the top 10 of the ITF ranking, with her highest position being No. 5 in the world, achieved in 2005.

According to Dunlop Sports, Montjane is driven and motivated by her desire to improve, stay active, and remain healthy. She loves competition and enjoys setting and achieving goals, always aspiring for the next challenge. She believes that attaining the best version of herself will not only benefit her but also give hope to others, especially in her community.

As highlighted by Tennis South Africa, wheelchair tennis was established in South Africa in 2005 by a group of players, including Craig Fairall and Kevin Smith, with the aim of formalizing and developing the sport into the mainstream.

The ITF views South Africa as a global success story for its effective introduction and growth of the sport. Consequently, South Africa hosts multiple international tournaments annually and has hosted prestigious events like the Wheelchair Tennis World Team Cup in 2011 and the SA Open Super Series for several years.

Tennis South Africa also noted that the country has implemented sustainable sports programs in all nine provinces to introduce wheelchair tennis to physically disabled individuals and communities. These programs provide opportunities for people with disabilities to learn and excel in the sport, developing players from their introduction to representing South Africa internationally.

In addition to Wimbledon semi-finalist Kgothatso Montjane, today, South Africa boasts some of the world's top players, including two-time Grand Slam champion Lucas Sithole and Donald Ramphadi, the country's top quad wheelchair tennis player, currently ranked No. 4 globally.

Ramphadi won his first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros last year, becoming the first South African man, both able-bodied and wheelchair, to win a French Open title since Johan Kriek’s victory in 1981.

Also, earlier this year, on February 14, both the men's and women's teams, featuring Kgothatso Montjane, Mariska Venter, Alwande Sikhosana, and Evans Maripa, emerged as champions in their respective singles events at the BNP Paribas World Team Cup Africa Qualification Event in Abuja, Nigeria.

Montjane's recent victory at Wimbledon is a crowning achievement for her, as she has spent years honing her craft and competing against the best in the world. Her performance in the finals was nothing short of spectacular, displaying a blend of powerful serves, precise groundstrokes, and strategic acumen that left her opponent struggling to keep up. The triumph is not only a personal victory but also a significant moment for wheelchair tennis in Africa, inspiring countless individuals who face similar challenges in South Africa and the continent at large.

Written by Zita Zage

A submarine landslide in Africa caused underwater cables to break

Originally published on Global Voices

The inside of the boat Léon Thévenin. Photo by Jean-Baptiste Dodane, 2015, on Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0).

The transfer of data on the internet depends directly on the right of maritime vessels to operate and on the skills of their crews to commission, support, and repair cables on the seabed. When a cable breaks, connectivity is lost.

The maritime vessels Léon Thévenin and the CS Sovereign reaffirmed this when they took almost 60 days to carry out repairs on submarine cables on the seabed to reestablish the internet connectivity infrastructure that severely affected West Africa and South Africa.

Although internet access can be through mobile networks, satellites, or terrestrial fiber optic cables, the global exchange of data traffic depends on these submarine cable systems, made up of 600 active cables.

On March 14, the West Africa Cable System (WACS), Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), SAT3, and MainOne submarine cables failed. The failures were the result of physical cuts off the coasts of Ivory Coast and Senegal, said Main One Service, the company responsible for the operation of one of the cables. Their preliminary investigations suggest that seismic activity on the seabed may have caused the cuts.

Fallas y cortes en los cables submarinos West Africa Cable System (WACS), Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), SAT3 y MainOne están afectando la conectividad a Internet en África Occidental y Sudáfrica. Muestran los datos de ruteo recuperados por @IODA_live. https://t.co/LO9AG97CGb pic.twitter.com/5OC5GLi9Qi

— Jacobo Nájera (@jacobonajera) March 14, 2024

Faults and cuts in the West Africa Cable System (WACS), Africa Coast to Europe (ACE), SAT3 and MainOne submarine cables are affecting internet connectivity in West Africa and South Africa. Shows the routing data retrieved by @IODA_live.

Following the failures, the telecommunications regulator of Ghana, one of the affected countries, declared that the submarine cable system had lost between 90 and 100 percent of its transmission capacity.

The report published by Internet Society shows that the failures affected access to 13 African countries located on the coast of West Africa: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Ivory Coast, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa, and Togo. Consequently, it caused degraded services and almost total internet outages. Furthermore, internet routing data recovered from Africa by the Internet Outage Detection and Analysis (IODA) Project at Georgia Tech matches the Internet Society's findings.

The interior of the boat Léon Thévenin. Photo by Jean-Baptiste Dodane, 2015, on Flickr (CC BY-NC 2.0).

The telecommunications research company TeleGeography has documented that, on average, there are 100 failures a year in submarine cables worldwide. They also explain that the public rarely hears about these because, in most cases, internet companies distribute their networks between different cables so that if one breaks, networks work without problems through other cables while they are repaired.

In Africa, this is not necessarily the case. Anthropologist Jess Auerbach, who studies the connectivity infrastructure in the continent, shared in The Conversation that:

Fibre optic cables now literally encircle Africa, though some parts of the continent are far better connected than others. This is because both public and private organisations have made major investments in the past ten years.

Based on an interactive map of fibre optic cables, it’s clear that South Africa is in a relatively good position. When the breakages happened, the network was affected for a few hours before the internet traffic was rerouted; a technical process that depends both on there being alternative routes available and corporate agreements in place to enable the rerouting. It’s the same as driving using a tool like Google Maps. If there’s an accident on the road it finds another way to get you to your destination.

But, in several African countries — including Sierra Leone and Liberia — most of the cables don’t have spurs (the equivalent of off-ramps on the road), so only one fibre optic cable actually comes into the country. Internet traffic from these countries basically stops when the cable breaks.

The International Cable Protection Committee (ICPC) indicates that damage caused to cables by landslides or earthquakes accounts for fewer than 10 percent of documented failures. Another cause is accidents involving fishing boats and the impact of dragging their anchors, which represents two-thirds of all failures. Less frequently, it happens because of deliberate sabotage or shark bites.

The Leon Thevenin departed from Cape Town to the Ivory Coast, where it arrived on March 29 to repair the SAT-3 cable. Repairs to the ACE cable were completed on April 17, the WACS on April 30, and, finally, the MainOne on May 11.

Auerbach says, “These are uniquely skilled artisans and technicians who retrieve and repair cables, sometimes from depths of multiple kilometres under the ocean.”

The interior of the boat Léon Thévenin. Photo by Jean-Baptiste Dodane, 2015, on Flickr. CC BY-NC 2.0.

One of the current trends the researcher also points out is that the financing of the cables used to be a combination of public and private associations, but now there are more large private companies such as Alphabet, Meta and Huawei. “That has serious implications for control and monitoring of digital infrastructure,” she notes. This would mean that it is potentially a danger to digital sovereignty.

Maintaining internet connectivity globally depends directly on the right of this type of ship to operate, as well as the knowledge and skills of their crews, which guarantee the navigation and maintenance of the submarine cables that distribute internet traffic across the seas.

Written by Jacobo Nájera Translated by Ameya Nagarajan · View original post [es]

China is the world's largest importer of timber

Originally published on Global Voices

Miombo Woodland. Wikicommons license CC BY 2.0 DEED

The Miombo woodlands cover several countries in the Congo Basin and southern Africa. The woodlands are comprised of tropical and subtropical grasslands that contribute to the sequestration of between 0.5 tons and 0.9 tons of carbon per hectare per year, making them a crucial part of offsetting human carbon emissions.

Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, DR Congo, Angola, Mozambique, South Africa, Namibia, DR Congo, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, which house the Miombo woodlands, benefit enormously from the forest because it effectively fights against global warming and erosion phenomena and can help limit climatic disasters in the region. 

The Miombo forest in Malawi. Wikicommons license CC BY-SA 3.0

The forest and surrounding ecosystem also play a crucial part in supporting local livelihoods, economies, and cultures. For instance, at the turn of the season, the Miombo trees shed their leaves, which supports the growth of red mushrooms called “Kabengera” in the Kirundi language. The red mushrooms can cost between USD 5–7 per kilo, making them a lucrative economic resource, particularly in Burundi and Tanzania where the income per capita is among the lowest in the region.

At least 300 million people in Southern Africa, East Africa, and Central Africa benefit from Miombo Woodlands products, according to the President of Mozambique Filipe Nyusi. The Miombo woodlands are home to some endemic species of animals and fauna, including lions, great apes, elephants, rhinoceroses, and more. 

Despite the woodlands’ important role in society, foreign investors, specifically Chinese trade groups, are participating in illegal deforestation for mining, logging, and trade purposes.

Chinese companies in the Miombo Forest

Many logging companies have complicated relationships with China in the Miombo Forest and the Congo Basin. Three-quarters of the timber from the Miombo is exported to China. At the same time, China imports two-thirds of the world's tropical logs. According to China's National Forestry and Grassland Administration (NFGA), the wood consumption in 2019 was 431 million cubic meters RWE (a unit used to measure the volume of logs), with 90 percent being used for construction, paper, and furniture manufacturing.

Local Chinese companies play a crucial role in promoting local timber trade and exports. However, whether Chinese companies are following local logging regulations remains to be seen.  

Most of these Chinese logging companies are privately owned, rather than state-owned and on paper, most have obtained timber harvesting rights. For instance, in Gabon, China holds 25 percent of the timber harvesting rights, and this percentage is steadily increasing. However, possessing these rights doesn't guarantee that the extraction follows the legal regulations. In 2022, an investigation by EL PAÍS/Planeta Futuro, a Spanish newspaper, revealed that numerous Chinese companies and local authorities engaged in bribes to illegally acquire logging rights. 

In Yaliwasa, located in the northern part of the Republic of the Congo, centuries-old trees in the tropical rainforest were hastily cut down and illegally shipped to China and other nations. One of the logging companies involved in this deforestation was a Chinese enterprise called Fodeco. Despite lacking industrial logging experience, Fodeco has been operating under the protection of successive Congolese ministers, violating Congo's 20-year moratorium on new industrial logging. 

“In the DRC, any document, any proof of legality can be bought; administrations are legalizing machines,” an international consultant based in Kinshasa, who requested anonymity due to his advisory role with DRC authorities on forest governance, told EL PAÍS/Planeta Futuro.

This situation is not unique to Fodeco. Downstream, a subsidiary of Booming Group, a company registered in Hong Kong, is also violating Congolese laws by logging hardwood. These companies have obtained local logging permits, but engage in illegal logging and transportation with the participation or acquiescence of local government officials. The abuse of permits is common in many African countries.

In a Linkedin post, Booming Green's chairman promotes the company's Afrormosia, an endangered tree species.

In Mozambique, local insiders claim that the bribe to export a container of non-compliant raw timber is about USD 520, usually requiring bribes to at least four government officials. In Cameroon, some illegal enterprises even hire officials to escort the transport of illegal timber. These government officials facilitate communication and secure passage at checkpoints, representing another form of collusion to violate logging bans. 

According to researchers, Mozambique received as many as 66 projects owned by public or private Chinese investors, between 2000 and 2010.

Blood-wood

For several years now, Mozambique has been facing an insurgency near its border with Tanzania. Between 2017 and 2023, about 3.7 million tons of timber were exported to China from Mozambique — sometimes from insurgent-controlled areas — making the country the main timber supplier to China. A US-based NGO Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) report reveals that more than 89 percent of timber exports were illegal, with much of it being the rare, endangered rosewood trees. 

While China bans importing endangered trees from African countries, the traffic in wood linked to the Miombo woodlands continues to increase, with an estimated USD 23 million worth of illegal wood exported per year. Much of the revenue from this illicit timber trade is being used to fund terrorist groups, according to the BBC.

According to a report recently cited by the BBC, investigators tracked more than 300 containers shipped to China, between October 2023 and March 2024 and found that the value of each container was USD 60,000 for a total of USD 18,000,000. 

In Africa, authorities such as the African Union are becoming aware of the issue and trying to find solutions against the illegal exploitation of timber and minerals. Most countries sharing the forest signed the Maputo Declaration in 2022, aiming to protect this area of more than 2.7 million square kilometers. 

Furthermore, President Filipe Nyusi of Mozambique, whose country loses the equivalent of 1,000 football fields of forests annually through vandalism, illegal timber trade, and illicit logging in the Miombo woodlands forests, is sounding the alarm. 

Speaking at a Miombo protection seminar in the US, Nyusi spoke of the need to work with heads of state in the region to combat the disappearance of the Miombo forest. “To go far, we must work together,” he said.

Ambiguity from China

Over the past few years, illegal timber from Africa has consistently flowed into the Chinese market, and defining responsibility for illegal logging has been difficult. In 2023, the international environmental watchdog Global Witness reported that Congo King Baisheng Forestry Development exported USD 5 million worth of illegally logged timber to China's Wanpeng Wood Industry Co., Ltd. over six months. 

In response, Chinese customs officials, addressing the evidence collected by Global Witness, indicated that since the logging occurred in the Republic of Congo, the investigation should be conducted by the local government. If requested by the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Chinese government can investigate Chinese companies and citizens involved in illegal logging. In general, the Chinese authorities’ approach to transnational business investigations has been based on voluntary remediation. Therefore, the legitimacy of the entire process relies on self-regulation by enterprises.

This is a contradictory stance, as in countries like Congo, where corruption is rampant, the law often equates to bribery negotiations. According to the Corruption Perceptions Index, Congo ranked 158 out of 180 countries for corruption in 2023. Charlie Hammans, a Global Witness investigator, believes that the only truly effective way to curb illegal timber is for China to explicitly ban the import of illegal overseas timber in its Forest Law.

China has implemented some measures to do this in recent years. In July 2020, China revised its Forest Law to establish a legal basis for tracing the source of illegal timber. Article 65 of the revised law requires:

木材经营加工企业应当建立原料和产品出入库台账。任何单位和个人不得收购、加工、运输明知是盗伐、滥伐等非法来源的林木.

Timber processing enterprises shall establish ledgers for the entry and exit of raw materials and products. No unit or individual may purchase, process, or transport timber known to be of illegal origin, such as stolen or indiscriminately logged timber.

However, this regulation has yet to explicitly cover imported timber and does not require enterprises to conduct due diligence on their timber purchases. The Ministry of Natural Resources has included the amendment of this regulation on its agenda, but it has not yet been issued.

Written by Ruohan Xie, Desire Nimubona