Oliver Mtukudzi is dead but the world has hardly begun to skim the surface of his greatness. In this tribute, Stan Mushava flips through the African superstar’s catalogue, looking at how conscientiousness, attachment to heritage and artistic integrity were not only central to the making of the legend but are also the universal mainstays of art.
Sport, Arts and Culture
Sport, Arts and Culture God as a Black woman: The Afro-Cuban painter who reimagined the depiction of God
Religious sensitivity has always been a difficult issue to navigate, even in the contemporary world. When it comes to the depiction of God, the whitewashing of the Almighty is not only historically false in the case of Jesus but creates an implicit cultural and historical bias in favour of one race.
Sport, Arts and Culture What Nigerian hip-hop lyrics have to say about the country’s Yahoo Boys
Hip-hop artists in Nigeria unpack the realities of the country’s cyber fraudsters.
Sport, Arts and Culture The extraordinary world of Kenyan poet and author Khadambi Asalache
Khadambi Asalache, poet and pioneer of modern English Kenyan literature, lived an extraordinary life. Now, more than a decade after his death, the public can view his stunning estate, which he left to the National British Trust. The estate is exceptional because for more than 20 years he decorated it extensively with Moorish-influenced fretwork which he cut by hand from discarded pine doors and wooden boxes.
Sport, Arts and Culture Lupita Nyong’o’s children’s book ‘Sulwe’ takes on colourism and teaches self-love
Award-winning Kenyan actress Lupita Nyong’o is adding the title of author to her growing résumé. The actress is set to release a children’s book that focuses on colourism, self-love and acceptance to help girls and boys find the inspiration to ‘walk with joy in their own skin’.
Sport, Arts and Culture Niger’s practice of selling young girls as an unofficial “fifth wife” has been outlawed
Niger’s top court has outlawed ‘”Wahaya”, a unique form of slavery currently practiced in that country. It involves the sale of young girls from Tuareg communities to wealthy and prominent Hausa individuals as an unofficial “fifth wife”.
Sport, Arts and Culture Nnedi and Wanuri developing Amazon series based on Octavia Butler’s “Wild Seed”
African sci-fi legend Nigerian Nnedi Okorafor and Kenyan filmmaker Wanuri Kahiu are teaming up with Oscar-winning actor Viola Davis for an upcoming series adaptation of Octavia Butler’s novel “Wild Seed”. Okorafor and Kahiu will write the script together, while Kahiu will also direct the project.
Sport, Arts and Culture The Ghanaian village where childbirth is prohibited
None of the about 5 000 inhabitants of Mafi Dove, a village in southern Ghana, was born there. The village is considered to be holy land and consequently has a myriad of customs and traditions that have been upheld throughout its existence. One of these is the belief that childbirth in the village is an offence to the gods.
Sport, Arts and Culture Why it’s significant that the UK has returned the locks of hair of an Ethiopian king
Ethiopia is a storytelling nation in which Emperor Tewodros has a special place.