27-year-old Ofentse Pitse is the first black South African woman to conduct and own an all-black orchestra. Her 40-piece symphony orchestra contributes to shedding light on African composers and propelling young black youth to excellence.
Women empowerment
Africans rising Winnie Byanyima appointed Executive Director of UNAIDS
Ugandan diplomat and humanitarian, Winnie Byanyima has been appointed as the new Executive Director of UNAIDS by the United Nations Secretary-General. She brings to the role more than 30 years of experience in political leadership and is set to advance a people-centered development agenda
Lifestyle The world’s first Vagina Museum opens in London
The world’s first physical vagina museum has been opened in London to educate and inform people about gynaecological anatomy while providing a space in which to hear about and discuss the taboo subjects surrounding female bodies.
Africans rising Ivorian photographer Joana Choumali becomes first African to win the Prix Pictet
Ivorian photographer Joana Choumali is the first African and second woman to win the Prix Pictet. Her series Ça va aller (It will be OK) is made up of ornate patterns embroidered on to photographs that depict Grand Bassam after a group of devastating terror attacks in March 2016.
Politics and Society Transitional Council appoints Neemat Abdullah Khair as Sudan’s first female Chief Justice
Sudan has appointed its first female Chief Justice Neemat Abdullah Kheir. Her appointment comes as the country looks to transition into a full democracy. The historic appointment is being celebrated as a progressive step towards gender equality.
Arts and Culture Series: African women writers to read in 2019 (I)
How many books by African women writers have you read this year? We are encouraging our readers to use the hashtag #ReadAfricanWomenWriters to bring into focus books that have been written by African women in 2019. In a series of articles, we will highlight a list of books by African women published in 2019.
Africans rising Wangechi Mutu unveils first installation of the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s façade in 117-years
Designed by Richard Morris Hunt and completed in 1902, the American Metropolitan Museum of Art’s facade features four niches intended to house free-standing sculptures. 117 years later this intention has been fulfilled by Kenyan contemporary artist Wangechi Mutu with an installation dubbed, “The NewOnes, will free Us”
Arts and Culture Ashenda: Ethiopia’s annual festival reserved for girls and young women
Ashenda is a unique traditional Tigraian festival celebrated in northern Ethiopia that is exclusively for girls and young women. “Ashenda” is the name of a tall grass found in the country that the revelers use to embellish their celebration gowns.
Lifestyle Fawn Weaver starts American whiskey brand to honour the contribution of a slave master distiller
A 270-acre distillery is the first in U.S. history to honour Nathan “Nearest” Green an African American slave known as the Godfather of Tennessee whiskey and one of the few operated and owned by a black woman. It is reported that Jack Daniels of the popular whiskey brand learnt everything on the art of distillation and the operation of a whiskey still from this man.