OPINION
LIFESTYLE
Why Africa’s women entrepreneurs struggle to grow – and how to help
Women entrepreneurs in Africa struggle to obtain credit, and to access entrepreneurship education.
Menu
- african identity
- New in African Identity
-
Dignity After Death: The New York Times has come under heavy criticism for publishing gory pictures of black bodies strewn haphazardly after the terror attack in Kenya. The debate has raised ethical, moral and philosophical questions on protecting the dignity of human remains in general, and black bodies in particular after death.
Kenya’s education plan in 2020 is to introduce Mandarin to its primary school pupils. Kenya has followed the path of South Africa and Uganda.
Sarah Baartman’s name can be elevated to the highest point of the University of Cape Town’s campus, but if her legacy isn’t built into each classroom and interaction the honour is hollow.
-
A conference in Accra, Ghana, revisited the 1958 All African People’s Conference, under the banner of “The Unfinished Business of Liberation and Transformation”. The legendary convenor of that first conference, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, famously said, “The objective is African Union. We must unite now or perish.” Yaw Adjei-Gyamfi considers how far we have journeyed towards the economic independence of Africa.
The Ake Arts and Book Festival, one of the best festivals on the continent took place in October. Enjoy this photo essay compiled by Nigerian photographer Kamnelechukwu Obasi for This Is Africa.
Many young Mozambicans have crossed into South Africa to develop their “ancestral” gift of healing. Kimberly Mutandiro spoke to some of them to find out what it is all about.
-
- New in African Identity
- sex & relationships
- New in Sex & Relationships
-
More than half the world is online, with the numbers growing every day. People are increasingly spending every second of their existence on the World Wide Web, yet we are still uncomfortable with saying that is where the bae came from. Kagure Mugo wonders why.
For the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-based Violence, Nana Akosua Hanson argues that the problem of sexual harassment in schools is rooted in patriarchy and that there is an urgent need for a complete overhaul of how we educate our children on matters of sex and relationships.
Most women who opt for sex toys prefer vibrators above all the other options available to them for self-pleasure. Vibrators are used for clitoral stimulation yet – absurdly – they are designed to resemble phalluses.
-
Pegging is not high on heterosexual couples’ list of things to do in bed, but maybe it should be. The act of trying something new and subverting gender roles in the sack can lead to increased pleasure and healthy conversations for both parties.
When people hear the term “sex positivity”, they think it is about having sex with everyone all the time, or having sex in wild and messy ways. In fact, sex positivity is about having a healthy and fulfilling sex life – no matter what that looks like, says Kagure Mugo.
African governments and their partners have a duty to prioritise the health of women and children through the provision of contraceptives.
-
- New in Sex & Relationships
- investigative
- New in Investigative
-
Masiphumelele High School (Cape Town), teen will begin studying mechanical engineering at University of Cape Town (UCT) this year.
Women entrepreneurs in Africa struggle to obtain credit, and to access entrepreneurship education.
Too many African countries believe Beijing when they are told in negotiations that they must take it or leave it.
-
Big investors seem to be mainly interested in Nollywood's already established popularity with African audiences.
The Algerian revolution had a profound effect on both Mandela and Fanon's thinking about colonisation, oppression and freedom.
For many Zimbabweans Robert Mugabe will remain a contested figure.
-
- New in Investigative
- interviews
- New in Interviews
-
When a deputy headmaster at one of Zimbabwe’s top schools recently came out as gay, he faced a backlash that revealed a deep-seated homophobia. One Zimbabwean decided to stand up – and out – in support of the LGBTQI+ community in general and GALZ in particular.
Some of the things we discard - like urine - can actually be useful resources.
Trokosi is an ancient practice in West Africa where virgin girls, some as young as six are sent as slaves to make amends for wrongs committed by their families.
-
Future Africa Forum founder and Zimbabwean entrepreneur Gerald Chirinda says the future is African. As Africa's story changes, young people from the continent have the responsibility to get involved in changing the narrative.
Foreign shop-owners in South Africa are accused of selling counterfeit food and food beyond its sell-by date. These claims are driven by politically charged opinions, not evidence.
The Rwanda Tribunal convicted people for indescribably horrific crimes and some are asking for early release.
-
- New in Interviews
- trending
- New in Trending
-
25 years ago, the South African Communist party leader and chief of staff of the uMkhonto we Sizwe, the armed wing of the African National Congress, Chris Hani was assassinated. Hani's murderer, Janusz Walus was denied parole on Wednesday by Justice Minister Michael Masutha.
Kenya is coming to terms with the second terrorist attack on its soil in five years. We examine the ethical issues that arise when both the public and the media inadvertently add to the chaos of a harrowing situation and cause greater damage.
The latest Henley Passport Index, which periodically ranks passports for the level of travel access they offer, gives insight into which African passports currently provide the greatest global access and which the least.
-
Rwanda has followed Ivory Coast, Ghana, Kenya and South Africa in cracking down on skin bleaching products that contain chemicals like hydroquinone and mercury, which have been linked to skin cancer and kidney and liver damage.
Moussa Faki Mahamat, AU Commission Chairperson revealed the AU will in February present specific details on the production and issuance of the African passport, which will aid the free movement of Africans across the continent.
Where does cultural appropriation end and good business begin? The film production company Disney sparked yet another discussion on what is acceptable when it trademarked the Swahili phrase “Hakuna matata”
-
- New in Trending
