Despite ugly smear campaigns to discredit them, violent threats and racist comments 23-year-olds Safiya Khalid and Nadia Mohamed who are both former refugees still managed to secure historic victories by becoming the first Somali-Americans elected to the city council of Lewiston, Maine and St Louis Park, Minnesota respectively.
Arts and Culture Skeletons and closets: How one university reburied the dead
When the University of Cape Town discovered skeletons in its archive that had been unethically obtained and used, they set about restoring justice to the bones and the community they came from.
Politics and Society The West African Monetary Union is taking back control of its currency from France
Since 1945, the CFA franc has been the currency used by French colonies, and the usage of the currency continued after independence. Benin President Patrice Talon revealed that the West African Monetary Union has unanimously agreed to take back control of its currency, withdrawing foreign reserves of the West African CFA from France. The move has been welcomed across the continent.
Politics and Society Why Ethiopians are losing faith in Abiy’s promises for peace
The prime minister may have won the Nobel Peace Prize but he has failed to quell the violence in his own backyard.
Politics and Society Taking social media at (Face)book value in Africa
Facebook’s revelation about fake accounts designed to influence elections shows the risks for Africa’s already fragile democracies.
Africans rising Senegalese Major Seynabou Diouf awarded 2019 UN Female Police Officer of the Year
Major Seynabou Diouf, has been commended for her “exemplary service, which has a direct and positive impact on the community and the Congolese national police.” The Major currently leads a task force that helps to prevent and end sexual exploitation and abuse with the UN Organization Stabilization Mission in the DRC.
Lifestyle KFC proposal goes viral; a wedding of a lifetime pledged for South African couple
A heartwarming video of a proposal at a KFC outlet in South Africa went viral on social media. The couple has finally been identified, and now corporates including KFCSA, Total South Africa, various entertainers and well-wishers are clamouring to sponsor Bhut’ Hector and his bride Nonhlanhla’s wedding. The spirit of Ubuntu and togetherness is certainly in the air.
Politics and Society Zambia: Criminals in Kitwe hack off the hand of 7 year-old girl with albinism
In a gruesome attack, criminals in Kitwe, Zambia hacked off and fled with the hand of a seven year-old girl with albinism. The crime, believed to be a ritual attack has caused an outrage in Zambia and on social media with prominent campaigners on albinism coming out to strongly condemn the senseless act.
African identities South Africa’s Khoisan community to finally benefit from commercialised rooibos
The South African government and representatives of indigenous people and farming groups have signed a benefit-sharing agreement to ensure that members of the indigenous Khoisan community receive a percentage of the value for the growth and processing of rooibos as traditional knowledge holders.