Creating a connection with his deaf niece motivated 25-year-old Kenyan innovator Roy Allela to invent a set of smart gloves, named Sign-IO, which converts sign language movements into audio speech in real time.
Kylie Kiunguyu
Lifestyle Auctioned to the highest bidder: The case of a South Sudanese teenager
South Sudanese teenager Nyalong Ngong Deng Jalang has been married off to businessman Kok Alat after he surpassed five other tycoons, including a deputy governor, in a “bidding war”. Alat surpassed his competition by paying 530 cows, three Land Cruiser V8 cars and US$10 000 in dowry.
Lifestyle The inspiring story of Zimbabwe football amputee Hardlife Zvirekwi
Hardlife Zvirekwi, the captain of CAPS United F.C., played in a league fixture in July shortly after returning to the field following the amputation of his left hand in surgery. The Zimbabwean defender’s ultimate goal is to make it back into the national team despite the effects of a disastrous car accident.
Politics and Society Ethiopia set to launch first space satellite
In the latest development in Ethiopia’s space ambitions, the country is set to launch its first earth observatory satellite in September 2019. Addis Ababa will use the satellite to collect data on changes in the climate and weather-related phenomena.
African identities Senegalese photographer Omar Victor Diop challenges monolithic black history
In an exhibition titled “Liberty”, Omar Victor Diop reinterprets defining moments of historical revolt and black struggle in Africa and the diaspora. His images challenge monolithic history-telling of roles such as African railway workers, French migrants, Second World War soldiers, Jamaican maroons and members of the Black Panther Party.
Lifestyle ‘Difret’ a Hollywood film inspired by the work of Ethiopia’s new Supreme Court Head
Meaza Ashenafi is not only Ethiopia’s new Supreme Court president, she is also a women’s rights activist whose achievements inspired a movie produced and championed by Hollywood star Angelina Jolie.
Lifestyle American celebrity Blac Chyna selling bleaching cream in Nigeria
Imported Self Hate: Controversial American ex-entertainer Blac Chyna announced she will be in Nigeria to promote her new Whitenicious x Blac Chyna Collection, described as an “illuminating and brightening cream”. Blac Chyna has received extensive public backlash for “exploiting” Nigeria’s colourism problem.
Politics and Society African Union approves sanctions on non-paying members
The 11th extraordinary summit of the African Union concluded with the clear aim of making the commission more effective and performance based. These reforms depend on financial autonomy, which is why the commission is imposing sanctions on member states who fail to honour their annual financial contributions.
Lifestyle Kenya bans Marie Stopes from offering safe reproductive health services
No contraception, no abortions: Marie Stopes International, one of the world’s largest providers of contraception and safe abortion services, has been operating in Kenya, within the law, for over three decades. Now the organisation has been banned from providing abortion services.