The South African government and representatives of indigenous people and farming groups have signed a benefit-sharing agreement to ensure that members of the indigenous Khoisan community receive a percentage of the value for the growth and processing of rooibos as traditional knowledge holders.
African identities
African identities ‘We knew their names’
Ancient DNA analyses have identified nine sets of unethically sourced San and Khoe skeletal remains found in UCT’s archive, paving the way for their repatriation to Sutherland.
African identities Humanity’s birthplace: why everyone alive today can call northern Botswana home
Genetic analysis has traced the evolutionary footsteps of modern humans all the way back to a prehistoric wetland that spanned parts of modern-day Botswana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
African identities AS Roma launches Kiswahili Twitter account
Italian club AS Roma launched a Kiswahili Twitter account and many in East Africa and across Africa are loving it. The club is the first major European football club to launch an official Swahili Twitter account, with the intention to break “communication barriers” and “directly engage with these fans in a way that suits them”.
African identities Queerness and religion in conversation
Reconciling faith and queer identity can often be a difficult space to navigate for those who do not subscribe to the heteronormative expectations upheld by many religious communities.
African identities Kenya: Litigation as a tool for Rastafari female liberation
As an entry point for advocacy, litigation shapes public discourse. Importantly, it addresses violations and mitigates future violations. In Kenya, the High Court upheld the rights of a female Rastafari learner. She was expelled from school because of her dreadlocks. The court pronounced that “the rule that she cuts her hair is intrusive to her religion and not justifiable in a democratic country”.
African identities Rwanda gospel singer reveals he is gay, says he expects a backlash
A Rwandan gospel singer has revealed to a Christian YouTube channel that he’s gay, telling the media that he expected a backlash for coming out. Albert Nabonibo is the first gospel singer in Rwanda to come out, and says he expects a backlash.
African identities Recognising intersex people opens access to fundamental rights in Kenya
Kenya’s decision holds the promise of inclusivity and liberalisation of the legal and policy environment.
African identities Ghana and Rwanda provide deep lessons for Africa on Pan-Africanism
Ghana’s example of opening its borders to African-Americans and embracing all Black people is the progressive ingredient African countries need to adopt. Additionally, Paul Kagame’s call for Africa to define its own course, rejecting validation from the West, are among the necessary steps towards self-determination and meaningful development.