The Olympic Games are a global spectacle, the world’s most exciting multi-sport event. Africa, though, has underachieved at the Olympics, although this time around in Rio de Janeiro, there is new hope that the continent can finally start to make its mark in other disciplines other than distance running – where Kenya and Ethiopia have hauled a respectable number of medals. Enock Muchinjo previews the Games with African lenses.
Africans rising
Africans rising Namibian learner invents SIM-free mobile phone, which doesn’t use airtime
A Namibian Grade 12 learner Simon Petrus is making waves after he invented a mobile phone, with no sim-card, which uses radio signals and doesn’t require airtime to make calls.
Africans rising Namibia relaxes visa policy: set to introduce visa-on-arrival for African citizens
The Namibian government is set to relax its visa policy with plans to introduce visa-on-arrival for African citizens, in preparation of ultimately scrapping off visa requirements the President Hage Geingob announced. Namibia recently scrapped off visa requirements for diplomatic and official passport holders, as the country begins implementing exemptions, which encourage the free movement of African citizens.
Africans rising Meet Camilla Kruger: Zimbabwe’s first Olympics equestrian rider
As the 2016 Rio Olympic Games draw closer, Zimbabwean rider, Camilla Kruger is on the verge of making history as the first Zimbabwean athlete to compete in any equestrian discipline at the Olympics. Kruger made history, when she qualified for the competition and says she’s proud to wear the country’s flag at #rio2016. The country is certainly behind Camialla and her horse, Sam The Man.
Africans rising Meet Besa Mumba Zambia’s youngest commercial pilot
Zambia’s aviation records keep tumbling, Kalenga Kamwendo became the country’s youngest pilot last year aged 20 but that record has been shattered by 19 year-old Besa Mumba, who has just become Zambia’s youngest commercial pilot. Mumba secured her dream job as a pilot flying with the nation’s scheduled airline, Proflight Zambia.
Africans rising Meet Naomi Ruele, Botswana’s First Olympic Swimmer
It’s just over three weeks before the 2016 Rio Olympic Games begin, and Botswana is celebrating and basking in an important milestone. Naomi Ruele became the first swimmer from Botswana to qualify for the Olympics, and she is just the second female from the country to compete at the Olympics. The talented 19 year-old swimmer received her official selection letter for the 2016 Olympics last week, and will make her maiden appearance in Rio.
Africans rising Nigerian engineer to launch first locally designed and built tractor
A Nigerian engineer Timothy Addigi Terfa is set to launch a tractor, wholly designed and built in Nigeria, a laudable step in agricultural innovation. The invention could certainly be a game changer considering indications that labour costs for agriculture in Nigeria continue to rise while levels of mechanization remain low.
Africans rising Milwaukee Bucks draft 19 year-old South-Sudanese basketball sensation Thon Maker
South Sudanese-Australian basketball sensation, 19 year-old Thon Maker has been selected by the Milwaukee Bucks as the team’s 10th overall pick in the 2016 NBA Draft. The 7-foot-1 player graduated from high school in 2015. Congratulations on the draft.
Africans rising Made in Tanzania: Will the helicopter take to the skies?
The Mechanical and Engineering Department at Tanzania’s Arusha Technical College (ATC) is hoping it can meet the Civil Aviation Authority’s regulations, and a prototype helicopter being developed by the Engineering department can soon take to the skies.