OPINION
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Meet Betelhem Dessie, Ethiopia’s leading tech queen
In Ethiopia,19 year-old Betelhem Dessie has quickly risen from a young pioneer to a leading figure in the tech community. She handles five projects and has seven patents to her name.
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In a historic moment, Belgium has elected its first black mayor, Congolese politician, Pierre Kompany, the father of Vincent Kompany, Manchester City's Captain. Pierre (71), a Mechanical Engineer who was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and came to Belgium in 1975 as a refugee.
Dambe is a centuries-old West African form of kick boxing originating from the butcher caste of the Hausa people. A fight lasts three rounds, ending in the knocking out of one of the opponents. Dambe fighters do not use boxing gloves but instead wrap their hitting arm in rope.
Prolific Zimbabwean author Tsitsi Dangarembga has expressed her hope of starting a #MeToo campaign in Zimbabwe to highlight the abuse and discrimination suffered by women, as the viral movement has yet to make waves in her country and many other African countries.
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Not enough credit is given to the agency African governments have in their dealings with China.
On 15 October, Africa joins hands with the people of Burkina Faso to celebrate the life and work of this great African icon.
World Cerebral Palsy Day is observed every year on 6 October. Cerebral palsy is a neurological condition that is the largest cause of childhood disability. To remedy the lack of disability representation, Farida Bedwei launched “Karmzah!”, a comic book that features a heroine with cerebral palsy.
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The decriminalisation of the private use of cannabis in South Africa could – and should – pave the way for the decriminalization of sex work, says Zanta Nkumane.
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.
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Hook-up culture, whether we acknowledge it or not, is prevalent. People are having casual sex all the time, yet there seems to be a lack of common understanding on the rules of engagement. With the help of a group of 30 somethings, we established a few universal dos and don’ts.
How does the black man who is selfish with his body find pleasure? Where does the selfishness come from? Perhaps his destructive kind of ecstasy contributes to the toxic way he relates with other races.
A Black cis bisexual femme shares her experiences with anxiety disorder, and antidepressant medication, and how the treatment has impacted on her sex life. The medication has had side effects including a lack of sexual desire, orgasmic dysfunction (anorgasmia) and sexual frustration.
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In mending the relations with Zimbabwe's white community by roping in Kirsty Coventry and Bruce Grobbelaar, President Mnangagwa might just have pulled off a masterstroke.
Across Africa, the high cost of menstrual products is causing schoolgirls to miss classes and eventually drop out of school, creating what has become known as "period poverty".
Many of the structural and institutional deficiencies that caused the collapse of Nigeria Airways are still present.
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Kenya has a legal framework that protects its citizens from racism but there are challenges with its implementation.
With the consent of African governments, China’s subtle but deliberate strategy is paying off.
Critics fear Mnangagwa’s aim is to pin blame on opposition leaders.
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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.
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Joyline Maenzanise talks to the young Zimbabwean sportswoman who is breaking down gender-based barriers in sport.
51 years ago, the federal government of Nigeria engaged in a bloody civil war with the secessionist Republic of Biafra. In this exclusive interview with This is Africa, Christopher Ejiofor, a former top military adviser during the war recalls the bitter memories of the war and how they lost everything. He talks about how the British colonial set-up caused the war and the current agitation by the Indigenous Republic of Biafra
Dr Richard Munang is a climate change and development policy expert. Here he talks about his latest book.
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Ethiopia’s prime minister, Abiy Ahmed, has created gender equity in Africa’s second most-populous nation by appointing a new Cabinet that is half female. The new Cabinet has less ministerial positions and more women in top security posts. Aisha Mohammed will be in charge of defence – the first woman to hold that position.
Kanye West continues to surprise the world. After meeting with President Donald Trump, Kanye came to Uganda and met with President Yoweri Museveni. During this visit, he said the spirit of Fela Kuti flows in him. Is Kanye on the wrong beat?
The South African charity Action Breaks Silence is working with schools to educate girls in self-defence and mental strength while encouraging boys to be empathetic and emotionally expressive. So far, more than 12,000 girls and 1,365 boys in 150 schools countrywide have been through the programme.
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Looming deadline: Today could be the last day we hear of Hauwa Mohammed Liman and Alice Loksha if the Nigerian government doesn't act swiftly. The two women were kidnapped in March by the Islamic State’s West African Province group. The International Committee of the Red Cross has called for quick intervention.
In Ethiopia,19 year-old Betelhem Dessie has quickly risen from a young pioneer to a leading figure in the tech community. She handles five projects and has seven patents to her name.
Gloria Nansubuga, a 17-year-old Ugandan, has won a World Title at World Chess Olympiad in Batumi, Georgia, making her the third highest-ranked Woman Fédération Internationale des Échecs or World Chess Federation master.
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