26 year-old Thebe Magugu is the first African to win the prestigious LVMH prize. The fashion talent prize comes with a €300,000 cash award, and includes a year of “technical and financial support” from the luxury giant. The South African designer was part of 1,700 applicants from 100 countries who applied for the LVMH prize.
Socrates Mbamalu
Politics and Society Nigerians protest against South African owned businesses in the country
Nigerians took to the streets of Lagos, and other parts of the country, destroying and looting what they suspected to be South African owned shops, businesses and properties in retaliatory attacks. The retaliatory attacks in Lagos have shown that tension between South Africa and Nigeria is likely to continue until the deep underlying causes of self-hatred and hatred against fellow Africans are addressed.
Politics and Society Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and VP react to xenophobic attacks on Nigerians
Nigerians are disappointed with the slow reaction of their government to the xenophobic attacks in South Africa. Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari has only addressed the country via tweets, and no specific nor substantial actions have been discussed to address the crisis. In a message President Buhari said he is “sending a Special Envoy to President Ramaphosa to share our deep concern about the security of Nigerian lives and property in South Africa”.
Politics and Society African nationals in South Africa experience brutal wave of xenophobic attacks
Xenophobic attacks against African immigrants, specifically targeting Nigerian and Zimbabwean nationals in South Africa have hit the country. Shops belonging to African immigrants were looted and burnt in the latest brutal attacks. There has been an uproar on social media following the latest Afrophobic attacks, with calls for stronger and decisive intervention by the government.
Politics and Society Sierra Leone: Corruption and the Church in Africa, a cosy mess
Churches in Africa have accommodated corrupt activities, exacerbated by the prosperity gospel. Beyond the prosperity preaching, what the continent needs are churches that encourage members to stand against oppression and corruption.
Politics and Society Reflection on Madiba’s 1992 Challenge to the Church
In 1992, the Free Ethiopian Church of South Africa had their centenary celebration. Nelson Mandela gave a speech that outlined eight tasks for the church. The tasks included, national reconciliation, supporting democracy, and the war on violence, in addition to acting as “the conscience of the present and future society”. Are churches across Africa drawing any lessons from Mandela’s counsel?
Arts and Culture Africa Positive launches Ubuntu Series animations
The Ubuntu Series is aimed at sensitising people of African descent about behaviours that disrupt the development of our countries.
Africans rising Ethiopian writer Maaza Mengiste hand signs three forklifts of her new book The Shadow King
Ethiopian writer Maaza Mengiste has signed three forklifts of her latest book The Shadow King. The Shadow King is her second book, and it took her nearly four hours and three pens to sign the books.
Arts and Culture Kenya’s Wamlambez Wamnyonyez anthem and Nigeria’s Soapy and freedom of expression
Wamlambez and Soapy are two popular songs in Kenya and Nigeria respectively sang by millennial musicians. While this is good for freedom of expression, we question why this popularity and buy-in has not extended to political expression in the two countries.