LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Mar

01

2025

Africa’s newest book prize is named after Andreé Blouin: who was she?

LITERATURE

ANDRÉE Blouin was a political activist and writer from the Central African Republic. Until recently, her name hardly ever appeared in the grand narratives of Africa’s liberation. When she died in 1986, her passing was hardly in the news – a stark contrast to her pivotal role as an adviser and campaign strategist to newly independent African leaders in Algeria, both Congos, Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Guinea and Ghana. She was more than a participant. She was an organising force, an architect of resistance, and a strategist who shaped the fight against colonial rule. Yet, like many women in African history,…

Feb

28

2025

By DAVID MURPHY

Mati Diop is a new star of African cinema – what her award-winning movies are about

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

MATI Diop has cinema in her blood. The 42-year-old Senegalese-French actress launched her feature film directing career in spectacular fashion with Atlantics, which took the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 2019 and won a string of awards. Her documentary Dahomey has made similar waves and was longlisted for the 2025 Oscars. We asked Senegalese film scholar David Murphy to tell us more. Who is Mati Diop? Mati Diop is a hugely talented and innovative film director. She is also an accomplished actor who has starred in a number of French films, in particular Claire Denis’s 35 Shots…

Feb

26

2025

By FISKE NYIRONGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

What is the Ncwala Ceremony? Experiencing a Zambian cultural extravaganza

CULTURE

IT’S 3:55 on a Friday morning at Lusaka’s Intercity Bus Terminus and at one exit a group of men looking more like runners waiting for the starting gun than bus drivers has congregated. Moments later, a rumbling of engines signals their “go" signal. The fleet of buses takes off, all heading for Zambia's Eastern Province. At least ten more buses remain behind, preparing for a later departure. The transport hub is always lively but to see so many fully-booked buses this early in the morning is rare. The throng of people queuing for seats continued to build, however, with some…

Feb

25

2025

By The African Mirror

A SOULFUL LEGACY LIVES ON: Remembering Roberta Flack, the Timeless Voice of a Generation

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ROBERTA Flack, the legendary singer-songwriter whose soulful voice and timeless classics have inspired generations across Africa, the United States, and the world, left this earth on February 24, 2025, at the age of 88. Her passing marks the end of an era, but her music will forever remain a testament to her enduring legacy. Roberta Flack in 1971. By CMS-Creative Management Associates/John Levy (management) - eBay front back, Public Domain, Wikimedia Born on February 10, 1937, in Black Mountain, North Carolina, Roberta grew up in a musical family in Arlington, Virginia. Her mother, a church organist, instilled in her a…

Feb

21

2025

By DAVID MURPHY

Souleymane Cissé, father of African cinema has passed on

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

SOULEYMANE Cissé, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest African filmmakers of all time, has passed away at the age of 84 in Bamako, Mali. The Mali-born director was commonly described as the father of African cinema. His feature Yeleen became the first African film to win the jury prize at the 1987 Cannes Film Festival. In 2023 Cannes honoured him again with the Carrosse d'Or (the Golden Coach) award. David Murphy, a critic and scholar of African cinema and Cissé’s work, told us more about why his films were so important – and particularly his classic Yeelen. Who was…

Feb

20

2025

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Wide range of tech firms scoop awards at top African industry summit

LIFESTYLE, SCIENCE, TECH AND INNOVATION

AT this year’s Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi, Kenya, innovators driving transformation were recognised for their impact. The awards reflect a shift in the continent’s tech scene: solutions are no longer just about bridging digital divides but about re-engineering industries, from financial services to agritech. Here are some of the winners: - Agritech Award – Mazao AgClimate Limited (Tanzania): Addressing soil degradation and over-reliance on synthetic fertilisers, MazaoHub helps smallholder farmers restore soil health and improve yields while reducing environmental damage. - AI Award – Cassava Technologies (South Africa): Developing AI-driven connectivity, cybersecurity, and cloud infrastructure, ensuring Africa’s digital economy…

Feb

14

2025

By GWEN ANSELL

Michael Mosoeu Moerane was a pioneering composer in South Africa. A new book is restoring his place in history

LITERATURE

COMPOSER and educator Michael Mosoeu Moerane (1904-1980) is probably best known for a few evergreen choral works, including Della and Sylvia, still sung by choirs across South Africa today. And, of course, for his orchestral piece FatŠe laHeso (My Country). It had the distinction of being recorded by both the British and South African public broadcasters in an era when white minority rule denied even the existence of Black classical musicians. Apartheid held the identity of Black people in South Africa to be unchangingly simple, rural and tribal. Sophisticated activities such as orchestral composing were both beyond their capacity and…

Feb

11

2025

By Manfred Zwecker

Joburg Film Festival 2025 to open with powerful Ernest Cole documentary

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

IN a groundbreaking moment for African cinema, the 7th Joburg Film Festival is set to illuminate the city's screens this March with the world premiere of "Ernest Cole: Lost and Found," a compelling documentary about one of South Africa's most influential photographers. The film, which captivated audiences and claimed the Best Documentary award at Cannes, will kick off six days of cinematic excellence from March 11-16, 2025. Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Raoul Peck, known for "Lumumba" and "I Am Not Your Negro," the documentary unravels the extraordinary tale of Ernest Cole's life and his powerful documentation of the apartheid era.…

Feb

07

2025

By SYLVIE AYIMPAM

Congo’s stylish sapeur movement goes beyond fashion – 5 deeper insights

BEAUTY AND FASHION

IN the two Congos, there’s a cultural movement by the Society of Ambience-Makers and Elegant People (Sape), known as “sapeurs”, who blend fashion, culture and social resistance. Though it was rooted primarily in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Republic of Congo, the movement is now spreading worldwide, through Congolese migration. As a researcher, I have studied Sape in its cultural, social and symbolic dimensions. Sape is far more than a fashion trend. Here are five key things to know about this movement. 1. The history of Sape Sape emerged during the colonial era, first in Brazzaville and…

Feb

06

2025

By LIEZILLE JACOBS

Psychology in democratic South Africa: new book explores a post-apartheid journey

LITERATURE

WHEN apartheid ended in 1994, South Africa underwent significant social and political transformation. A key aspect of this shift was the push for greater inclusion and representation of Black South Africans across all sectors – including psychology. Dr Liezille Jacobs was part of a pioneering generation of Black psychologists who started their training in 1995. Now she has written a book, Rocklands: On Becoming the first generation of Black psychologists in post-apartheid South Africa. In it she explores the barriers she and her colleagues faced and unpacks misconceptions around what psychology is and does. She also argues that critical (and…