Mos Def, who is now known as Yaasin Bey, delivered the keynote address at Music Exchange 2014, a music industry conference hosted in Cape Town, his new home.
Arts, Culture and Sport Lupita Nyong’o acceptance speech at Essence Black Women Awards
“I remember a time when I too felt unbeautiful. I put on the TV and only saw pale skin, I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin”
Lifestyle Made in Africa: how much do we value this label in fashion?
All that goodness attached to African textiles is valuable, but more for the purpose of international marketing, not for Africans. We do care, but an organic tag doesn’t quite make the sale; we also want fashion, style and quality and we don’t want to wear “charity”.
Arts, Culture and Sport Why elders deserve only earned respect
One of the things our cultures have in common is their reverence for elders. But is merely being around for a long time enough? Shouldn’t respect be earned? Not all elders are wise. Should we also defer to an elder known to be ignorant, misogynistic and cruel?
Politics and Society What if Oscar’s victim had been black?
The world’s media has descended on South Africa for the trial of the country’s former sporting hero Oscar Pistorius. It’s been called “the most eagerly awaited trial in South African legal history”. But what if his victim had been a black man?
African identities The Maasai reclaim their brand
Google “Maasai” and “products”, and you will find Maasai figurines, by a British company called The Emporium Gifts, Masai Land Rover accessories, Maasai Beanies by 10 Deep, Maasai Red lace-up shirts by Ralph Lauren, Masai Barefoot Technology trainers. Why is Maasai wear so fashionable now?
Arts, Culture and Sport Yoruba deities as movie superheroes
“Oya: Rise of the Orisha” is an upcoming feature film that blends the Western superhero genre with Yoruba mythology. The film garnered internet attention following their Indiegogo crowd-funding campaign.
African identities 25 and not Married?!
Fifty years ago an unmarried 25-year-old African woman was seen as odd. A husband and family was supposed to be your life’s goal. Thank God we’ve moved on. Or have we?
Politics and Society How bad was Gaddafi?
While the world celebrates Gaddafi’s downfall and removal, the response across Africa is more muted. Could that be because we always saw through the Western media’s propaganda, even while acknowledging the man’s deep flaws?