LIFESTYLE - The African Mirror

Nov

09

2022

In conversation with award-winning Nigerian author and director of Ake festival Lola Shoneyin

LITERATURE

BONFACE ORUCHO, BIRD STORY AGENCY. AFRICA is ethnically and culturally diverse. The nature of art and literary works from the continent are equally varied. African writers like Chinua Achebe, Chimamanda Ngozi, Alain Mabanckou, and Bessie Head, among many others, have elevated African arts to the global space. Still, there is a need to sustain the momentum. Lola Shoneyin, a poet, novelist, publisher, bookseller and festival organiser, is one of the few dedicated to ensuring African literature and art get better recognition and appreciation. When the 48-year-old published her debut novel ‘The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives, in 2010, she…

Jul

27

2022

By The African Mirror

Africa’s free trade area offers promise for cities – but only if there’s investment

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT, AFRICITIES

THE African Continental Free Trade Area came into operation on 1 January 2021. This is a considerable achievement. The free trade area is now the world’s single largest market for goods and services, when measured by a number of countries, after the World Trade Organisation. It is also the largest in terms of geographic area and population size. If implemented as foreseen by the agreement, the free trade area will unlock significant growth for the African continent. The World Bank has estimated that by 2035, trade between African countries could expand by 81%, boosting output by US$450 billion, raising wages…

Nov

08

2022

By The African Mirror

Hotel Rwanda: a film that proved to be a double-edged sword for Kigali

LIFESTYLE

PAUL Rusesabagina is perhaps one of the world’s best known Rwandans. His actions during the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi were made famous in the 2004 Hollywood film Hotel Rwanda. The film was inspired by what happened inside Hotel des Mille Collines in the capital, Kigali. Here, 1,268 Rwandans, both Tutsis and Hutus, were saved from genocidal forces waiting beyond its walls. Author JONATHAN BELOFF, Postdoctoral Research Associate, King's College London The film depicts Rusesabagina – who left Rwanda in 1996 – as a hero who saved these lives. Following the film’s release, Rusesabagina received several humanitarian awards, including the…

Oct

19

2022

By The African Mirror

What is cultural appropriation and why is it so harmful?

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

ADAM HAUPT DIE Antwoord is a South African band that uses hip-hop music to create a style it calls “zef”. Since it first appeared in 2009, Die Antwoord has been criticised for cultural appropriation (using cultural elements of a minority group in an exploitative way). It’s accused of copying the lyrics and styles of Cape Town artists rapping in South Africa’s Kaaps language, and of mimicking the visual styles of Cape Flats gang members. Adam Haupt has researched and written extensively on hip-hop and identity. He discusses cultural appropriation and the role of power in interactions between dominant and marginalised…

Oct

19

2022

By The African Mirror

Trevor Noah brought a new perspective to TV satire – as well as a whole new audience

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

AFTER seven years of hosting The Daily Show on Comedy Central, a hit comedy show produced in the US but with global reach, South African-born comedian Trevor Noah has announced plans to leave and focus on his stand-up comedy. During his tenure as host of the political satire series, which he took over from the revered Jon Stewart, Noah has offered important takes on issues in the US – and the world. Author GIBSON NCUBE, Lecturer, Stellenbosch University Considering that the late-night television satire scene in the US remains populated by white men, Noah has offered unique “black” African insights…

Oct

18

2022

By The African Mirror

Chibok kidnappings: why it’s important to listen to the survivors of Boko Haram terrorism

LITERATURE

IN 2009 a once quiet local Salafi group called Boko Haram became increasingly violent in north-east Nigeria and border communities of Niger, Chad and Cameroon. Its quest to forbid western education in the heavily Islamic region has led to the kidnapping of many school children, the slaughter of an estimated 2,200 teachers and the burning down of 1,400 schools. But the terrorist group was largely unknown on the world stage until the kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from the Nigerian town of Chibok in April 2014. The hashtag #BringBackOurGirls, used in the international calls for the girls to be rescued, garnered…

Oct

15

2022

By The African Mirror

African countries in push to collect international tourism dollars

TRAVEL

CONRAD ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY AFRICAN countries are pumping energy and resources into campaigns to woo international tourists, as arrival numbers close in on pre-COVID levels. Kenya’s Tourism Board (KTB) has expanded ‘The Real Deal’ a digital marketing campaign targeting global tourists with videos and banners showcasing the country’s diverse wildlife, culture and adventure activities. The campaign started in September with North America, the country’s source arrival market has been scaled to cover European countries- UK, France and Germany. “This is not only a very timely and relevant initiative but also an important part of our strategy for attracting visitation…

Nov

03

2022

By The African Mirror

South Africa’s dance music craze, amapiano, could conquer the world – if its stars step up

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THERE'S a lot of hype around amapiano. The South African dance music genre has dominated dancefloors since 2019, spreading from South Africa to West Africa and now to the world. But it’s time to peer through the hype and see if amapiano is able to transition from a cloistered club scene onto a truly global stage in terms of performance strength, conviction and credibility. Kabza de Small, DJ Maphorisa, Major League DJz, DBN Gogo, Lady Du … the list of amapiano stars is growing. Undoubtedly, though, there are concerns regarding the live performances of many. Beyond the gimmicks of slick…

Nov

03

2022

By The African Mirror

From fishmonger to internationally acclaimed artist, the story of Franco Ndiba

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

PATRICK NELLE, BIRD STORY AGENCY THE characters are faceless and anonymous, yet these attention-grabbing outlines, which seem like flip-flopping silhouettes, conjure a lasting image of being one and everyone simultaneously. This artistic fantasy of facelessness stirs the imagination. It leaves the mind roving–in what 39-year-old Cameroonian artist Franco Ndiba calls his world of “Fantasia”. “Through this form of art, I invite you into a journey of discovery, experience and introspection as you peel the attitude, feelings, and perhaps the thinking of the characters in the painting,” he says. Ndiba, whose works paintings are on display at the Annie Kadji Art…

Oct

15

2022

By The African Mirror

Woman King is worth watching: but be aware that its take on history is problematic

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

THE Hollywood movie The Woman King, released in mid-September, became an immediate box-office success. The triumphs of the Agoodjies, the women warriors of the ancient Kingdom of Dahomey in today’s Benin, west Africa, are as magnificent as the public had anticipated. In this epic historical drama, African women take centre stage. Abomey (the kingdom’s capital) and Ouidah (the main port under its control) are shown from the perspective of Nawi, a novice in the all-female regiment. She opposes the enduring injustice of gender expectations, espouses the camaraderie of her sisters in arms and faces the brutality of slave traders. The…