Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart has been named in BBC’s 100 stories that shaped the world, making it into the top 5. BBC Culture asked writers around the globe to pick stories that have endured across generations and continents – and changed society. Other great African literary works on the list include Tsitsi Dangarembga’s Nervous Conditions, and Children of Gebelawi written by Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz.
Arts, Culture and Sport
Arts, Culture and Sport It’s time to rethink what’s meant by “mother tongue” education
It’s not far-fetched to suspect that the common understanding of the idea of “mother tongues” in South Africa is coloured by outside influences.
Arts, Culture and Sport Prof Wole Soyinka urges Nigeria’s anti-corruption body to arrest corrupt leaders
Nigeria’s anti-corruption body has been criticised by the public for its perceived soft stance on political actors. Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka recently addressed the 8th Commonwealth Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies, and urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to arrest corrupt leaders.
Arts, Culture and Sport The fading use of indigenous languages in African households
The use of indigenous languages in African households is slowly fading with parents embracing foreign languages. Speaking at the 7th Annual International Igbo Conference Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie revealed that she only speaks to her daughter in Igbo, a practice that shocks many parents. However, embracing foreign languages at the expense of local languages is a result of “colonialism [which has] made us look down on everything that is African. This includes our languages, cultures and religions”.
Arts, Culture and Sport Ugandan government denies tax on Bibles, Qu’rans, prayer and hymn books
The Uganda Revenue Authority recently proposed taxing Bibles, Qu’rans, prayer and hymn books imported into the country. The revenue authority has since backtracked on the proposal following a public outrage. The government also affirmed that it has not levied new tax on religious books.
Arts, Culture and Sport Mo Salah spends $450,000 to build sewage treatment in his village
Egyptian football star, Mohammed Salah recently made news off the field for his philanthropic work. The footballer bought land and paid for a sewage plant to be built, to supply his village with clean water. The remarkable deed by the Liverpool striker has been hailed by many across the continent.
Arts, Culture and Sport Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Chimamanda’s Americanah named among 100 Books to feature in ‘The Great American Read’
Chinua Achebe’s Things Fall Apart and Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s bestselling book Americanah have been named in the list of 100 Books to feature in ‘The Great American Read’ TV Series. The series “celebrates the power of reading, told through the prism of America’s 100 best-loved novels (as chosen in a national survey)”.
Arts, Culture and Sport Trevor Noah, Emmerson Mnangagwa make TIME Mag‘s 100 most influential people
South African comedian Trevor Noah, Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, and Kenyan anti-genital mutilation activist Nice Nailantei Leng’ete were among the Africans listed among the TIME Magazine‘s 100 most influential people.
Arts, Culture and Sport Marginalised Namibians are trying to reclaim photography after colonialism
Marginalised Namibians should be encouraged to take up cameras to document their lives — on their own terms.