Posts tagged Zimbabwe

The Arterial Network recently launched an ambitious programme that aims to create social change through cultural action and cultural policy in four African cities. Sophia Olivia Sanan spoke to five of the organisation’s members to find out more.

The land question is a burning issue across Africa. Zimbabwe’s President, Robert Mugabe has often attacked former South African President, Nelson Mandela on the compromises Madiba made, said to have resulted in inequalities in land and wealth. Mugabe recently said Mandela “forgot why he was put in jail” and South Africa is still in the hands of the minority white people and Mandela is to blame for the economic disparities.

Some African politicians are far from the epitome of morality and can be downright crass in their sexual behaviour. South Africa’s Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa is feeling the heat after emails were leaked which allege extramarital affairs with several women. Let’s look at some of the more glaring public showcases of this on the continent.

How justifiable is it to build a university worth $1 billion when existing universities are facing serious funding challenges? Zimbabwe’s Minister for Higher and Tertiary Education, Science and Technology Development, Professor Jonathan Moyo announced plans to build the Robert Gabriel Mugabe University. What are your thoughts?

The fancy jargon surrounding the current foodie movement makes it seem as if current trends such as veganism and paleo diets are new discoveries. But the phrase ‘African vegan’ is not an oxymoron. Pre-colonial Africans did, in fact, rely predominantly on a plant-based diet.

From Zimbabwe all the way to Geneva to participate in the 9th Nelson Mandela World Human Rights Moot Court Competition, the Midlands State University (MSU) made up of Brian Tatenda Madziba and Conrad Melusi Clinton Nyathi became the first-ever Zimbabwean law school team to come first in the Heads of Argument Category. Congratulations to MSU, thank you for making Africa and Zimbabwe proud.

The civil society organisation GroundUp has found that for Zimbabweans in South Africa, the cost and effort of returning the body of a deceased loved one home is almost too much to bear.

The Zimbabwean government has proposed a minimum mandatory 60-year jail sentence for people convicted of raping minors aged 12 years and below and the disabled, while a 40-year prison term will apply for all rape cases as a means to stamp out the crime.

Rwanda’s whistleblowing law might seem progressive, but closer analysis shows that the law might be an attempt by President Kagame’s government to outsource spying to ordinary citizens.

Zimbabwe’s president, Robert Mugabe, has donated 300 cows to raise money for the Africa Union (AU) Foundation to help stop dependance on foreign aid funding. President Mugabe handed a $1 million cheque to the AU after the cattle were sold in Zimbabwe. The cheque was handed to the AU at its leaders’ summit in Ethiopia, and Pres Mugabe said his friends helped contribute to the noble cause to help end AU’s aid dependancy. However, President Mugabe’s donation has been met with strong criticism considering that the gift comes amid a severe cash crisis in Zimbabwe.