On February 1, Jonathan Jansen, a professor of education at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University, wrote a column questioning whether or not South Africans are better off now than under apartheid, concluding they were only really “better off” in terms of political rights. When asked to justify his controversial statements, Jansen, in a radio interview, responded: “I have never before seen so many poor and desperate people putting up tents, literally along the road. Tell me they are better off than in 1994.” I have decided I will not engage with his insensitive sentiments or give credence to any discussion about…
Author: King Jaja
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It is no doubt that Tiwa Savage is one of the celebrities in Nigeria with a high taste in fashion and she did not disappoint us at the All Africa Music Awards (AFRIMA) from last weekend. The Queen of Afrobeats showed up at the 8th edition of AFRIMA which took place in Dakar, Senegal, in a stylish two-piece which featured an exaggerated mermaid-style skirt and a mid-riff top with a daring asymmetrical neckline. This lovely outfit worn by Tiwa Savage was put together by Maximilian Raynor. Tiwa rocked her hair in a dashing low-cut blonde styled to perfection. This look…
Nigeria’s track and field runner, Divine Ododuru, alleged to be the ‘Athlete 2’ in the Blessing Okagbare’s doping scandal, has been provisionally suspended by World Athletics’ Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) for possession/use or attempted use of a Prohibited Substance. In a release on its website, the AIU said it has notified the 26-year-old of ‘two potential Anti-Doping Rule Violations (ADRVs) and is seeking a six-year ban against the Nigerian. Oduduru has been notified of potential ADRVs for possession (Rule 2.6 of the World Athletics Anti-Doping Rules; ADR) and/or use or attempted use of multiple Prohibited Substances (Rule 2.2 ADR). According…
The lack of representation is something that is returned to time and time again. Without representation we cannot accurately credit black women’s contribution to the art world. Whilst this barrier is in place, it will always be difficult to fully celebrate and praise their work. It will be a challenge to correctly document and archive their submissions into the artistic sphere. Christabel Johanson on Black Women in the Arts Simone Leigh, Facade, 2022, courtesy Matthew Marks Gallery, New York This February the United States celebrates the International Week of Black Women in the Arts. The event…
Lewis Buckner’s work began gaining prominence in the 1870s. By the late 19th century, many of the houses in Sevier County in Tennessee were built by him. building houses throughout Sevier County that featured robust Italianate and Queen Anne style architectural elements. His unique trademark was that his buildings featured strong Italianate and Queen Anne-style architectural elements. Even though Buckner learned the ropes of the job as an apprentice, the inspiration behind his buildings wasn’t picked from his master, Christian H. Stump, a white furniture and cabinetmaker originally from Michigan. His architectural designs were inspired by pattern books and published…
Adama Diabaté, a prominent Malian media pundit with a fondness for Moscow, says the Russian military “instructors” who are increasingly visible in the west African country are trusted “100 per cent” by the population.“Down to the last peasant in the last village, if you ask them who’s working in the best interests of Africans, they’ll say Russia,” he said. The newcomers had done more to counter jihadist insurgents in under a year than former colonial ruler France had in almost a decade, he added.Diabaté’s view is a one-sided account of events in a country where Russian mercenaries working for the…
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met with Assimi Goïta, the interim leader of Mali, during his visit to Bamako on Tuesday, during a diplomatic trip that’s drawn concern over the security role of Russian fighters in the Sahel nation and Moscow’s bid for wider influence on the African continent. “We are reliably meeting Mali’s needs to ensure its security and defense capability,” said Lavrov. “With our support, the Malian leaders have achieved clear successes in countering terrorism. We will certainly continue this cooperation.” The Russian diplomat added that his conversations with Goïta revisited the issues he discussed with Malian foreign…
John Moeti during the 1997 CAF Champions League football match between Pirates and Primeiro (Angola) at Soccer City, Johannesburg on 22 August 1997 ©Gavin Barker/BackpagePix by Staff Reporter Tuesday Feb 07, 2023. 14:33 The South African football fraternity is mourning the loss of 1996 Africa Cup of Nations winner John Moeti, who passed away at the age of 55 on Monday.The former Orlando Pirates midfielder had been receiving specialist medical care for the past eight months after falling ill in 2022.‘Dungi’ as he was affectionately known, skippered the Buccaneers to their maiden CAF Champions League title in 1995 before helping…
This month marks 126 years since the British punitive expedition resulted in the theft of more than 10,000 objects from the Benin kingdom. They came to be known as the Benin bronzes, and have been at the centre of repatriation debates ever since.Though the original victims are long gone, their descendants have eagerly awaited the return of the bronzes, and still do. As one such descendant, the issue of repatriation isn’t just diplomatic, it’s personal. My great-great-grandfather, HRH Ogbidi Okojie King of Uromi, fought alongside his relative Oba Ovonramwen Nogbaisi, the ruler of the Benin kingdom. What began as a…
Editor’s Note: Joyce M. Davis, outreach and opinion editor for PennLive and The Patriot-News, is the president and CEO of the World Affairs Council of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. She is a veteran journalist and author who has lived and worked around the globe, working for National Public Radio, Knight Ridder Newspapers in Washington, DC, and Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty in Prague. The opinions expressed here are her own. Read more opinion at CNN. CNN — Russia seems to be outmaneuvering the United States in Africa. In recent days, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov underscored that stark reality as he wined and…