For many Africans, Western countries continue to represent a certain standard they aspire to. The validation of our experiences, reality, history, cultures, art, music, icons, heroes and heroines continues to be through Western lens and standards.
African identities
African identities #NairobiNiMimi Series: Sam Ondieki
“I’ve been to prison and you can quote me on this, this country does not care about its citizens.”
African identities #NairobiNiMimi: Sarah Muchuma
As the eldest daughter of a school headmaster, Sarah felt suffocated by the pressure of being a model child at home in Western Kenya. So, she decided to try her luck in the big city, Nairobi. She says it has been a real adventure.
African identities Men, gender equality and the search for gender harmony
Persuading men to participate more meaningfully in transforming gender relations is essential to shifting attitudes and behaviours linked to the “patriarchal dividend”.
African identities #NairobiNiMimi Series: Mourine Obare
“My dreams have always kept me going. I would have been dead a long time ago if it wasn’t for them.” At 32, Mourine has already accomplished a lot. She’s written three books, acted on stage and for TV, and is mother to a 11-year-old girl. Her mission is to spur honest conversations with young girls about love and sex so that they can have the tools to make good choices in life and be truly free.
African identities #NairobiNiMimi Series: George Onkoba
George Onkoba has an accounting degree and worked at a bank for seven years. He gave it all up to pursue his real passion, painting. His family and friends shunned him, but George says he’s never been happier.
African identities #NairobiNiMimi Series: The story of Charles Githinji
“I was born in Kibagare slum in Kangemi. My mother died when I was seven and so I was the only one able to, at the time, take care of my sister and younger brother. So, I entered the streets pretty early in my life.”
African identities How young, queer Nigerians use Twitter to shape identity and fight homophobia
Despite same-sex relations being criminal, social media is a space to come out and speak back to homophobia for the Nigerian tweeters in the study.
African identities South Africa: UCT launches milestone Khoi and San Centre
The University of Cape Town (UCT), situated on land below Huri ǂoaxa (Hoerikwaggo or the mountain in the sea) that was once home to the Khoi and San, marked a milestone on its transformation journey with the launch of the Khoi and San Centre on 21 September.