Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from April, 2008
Kenya: Mobile TV
Mobile TV arrives in Kenya: “Safaricom has partner with DSTV to provide Mobile TV to their subscribers. Mobile TV is a technology that allows people to view regular live television content on their mobile phones or other mobile devices that they get through traditional cable or pay TV subscriptions at...
Africa: Sleeping giants
Bankelele wonders whether Africa has to reform or develop: “Rwanda is on the fast path to being an ICT powerhouse. They may get there, but we have the beach, undersea cable etc. – all we have to do is wait to benefit from them. Uganda and Sudan have oil –...
South Africa: Announcing Tech Leader
The South African Mail&Guardian launches Tech Leader: “The Thought Leader concept is expanding over the next few months and the first incarnation is Tech Leader. Tech Leader is an edited group blog aimed at thinkers in the South African technology industry.”
South Africa: Serious blogging arrives
Serious blogging has arrived in South Africa: “The key moments for blogging included the launches of Afrigator, the continent’s first blogging aggregator; Amatomu, the first comprehensive tracking service for blogs and bloggers in South Africa; My Digital Life by ITWeb, which put solid commercial resources and interests behind blogging; and...
Sudan: Coffee ceremony in Al Meganis
Andrew writes about coffee culture in Al Meganis, Sudan: “It is almost as complicated as an Ethiopian coffee ceremony – look at all those pots, including the glue tin containing the final brew. But the end result is harsher and sweeter. Not that that is necessarily a bad thing on...
South Africa: Ideas for Muti 2.0
Wogan's ideas for Muti 2.0: “About a week ago, the ability to downvote articles on muti.co.za was removed. Apparently, responses were mixed, but most were in favour of not allowing people to forcibly bury articles. Now, someone’s gone and raised the question of whether or not downvoting should be brought...
Tanzania: Perils of an IT Geek
Jesp visits hardware geeks in Tanzania: “I then consult Dennis, a hardware geek of the kind that never even puts the cover on his computer because his head is more often inside the cabinet than in front of the screen. “It is not the graphic card” Dennis says “The RAM...
Zimbabwe: Pay Day Facts
Pay day in Zimbabwe: “Today is pay day. I received a gross wage of just under $860 million. I also received benefits being $400 million dollars as a transport allowance and $67 million as a housing allowance. These benefits were awarded by the government as some sort of assistance towards...
South Africa: Jacob Zuma – marketer of the year
Jacob Zuma's marketing strategy works: “But there has been a noticeable shift in attitude amongst (mostly) white, middle class South Africans to a man who used to be famous for kangas, baby oil and homophobia. Jacob Zuma is making one of the most impressive comebacks in South African political history....
South Africa: Should South Africans boycott Chinese products?
Sarah asks, So, could South Africans boycott Chinese products with any justification?: “Consumer boycotts have long been a means for ordinary consumers to express their anger with a country and hit regimes where it hurts most, in their wallets – even if only indirectly.”
Zimbabwe: Election humour on YouTube
Ethan writes “Dark humor about Zimbabwe”: “You might have missed it, because I buried it at the bottom of the last (long) post. What follows below is a very funny radio segment from a South African morning comedy show.”
Ethiopia: Teddy Afro denied bail
Nazret links to an article about the Ethiopian musician Teddy Afro: “The Federal High Court of Ethiopia has this morning denied bail for the release of Tewodros Kassahun (Teddy Afro). The 30-year-old sensational singer, who is accused of a hit and run homicide, will spend the duration of his trial...
Nigeria: British Airways must apologise
The British Airways must apologise for mistreating Nigerians: “yes, I think its time for the Nigerian government to take seriously the issue of how Nigerians are treated in the international scene. They should take it so seriously to the extent that the next Nigerian seen at any airport will receive...
Kenya: ICT and democratic processes
ICT, democratic processes and empowerment in Kenya: “There were varied topics and speakers, but I was very impressed by the presentations of two Kenyan women who are at the forefront of impacting ICT policy and enhancing innovative ways of using the Internet for networking. They are Alice Munyua and Ory...
South Africa: Be a guest blogger on SA Rocks
Do you want to be a guest blogger on South Africa Rocks?: “I am looking for someone to take control of the theme for SA Rocks for a week. I’ll need you to motivate why you want to blog on SA Rocks. What posts you might have in mind, lined...
D.R. of Congo: Penis Theft
Penis theft in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “It's pretty amazing that nobody commented on Penis Theft in Kinshasa, but despite the lack of popularity of this topic, I have more to say about it…”
Nigeria: Mobile TV
Yomi writes about Mobile TV in Nigeria: “Subscribers on the MTN Nigeria network can now watch up to 10 DSTV television channels on mobile phones. The channels include: SuperSport, Channel O, Africa Magic, and Cartoon Network, among others.”
D.R. of Congo: Kinshasa Soundtrack
A musical gift from the Democratic Republic of Congo: “To celebrate a couple of years in the Congo, here’s a mixtape just for Extra Extra readers. (Songs should stream when clicked. If they don’t, please let me know and I’ll scratch my head and bleat a bit.)”
Zimbabwe: 16 flavours of mutilation
Bev Clark's 16 flavours of mutilation in Zimbabwe: “So if independent monitors and Mugabe’s allies agree that neither candidate got over 50% then announce the results already! On the up-side we have Tsvangirai and Mutambara joining forces; Zimbabwe’s version of the dream ticket? We have had numerous SMS’ and emails...
Uganda: Ten Things I want Explained
Ten Things Ugandan Imsoniac wants explanation: “Why Andrew Mwenda is arrested and it makes international headlines and yet when 13 journalists in radio stations around the country were (between January and March this year) arrested for doing their jobs, publicly threatened by politicians and sacked for speaking the truth it...
Zimbabwe: “Free Zim” graffiti in South Africa
Graffiti for Zimbabwe in South Africa: “This was sent to us today. The picture was taken this morning, in Cape Town, South Africa.”
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