· June, 2009

Stories about Sub-Saharan Africa from June, 2009

South Africa: To vuvuzela or not to vuvuzela?

  30 June 2009

Discussions about the popular instrument called the vuvuzela blown by South African football fans have dominated the blogosphere since the beginning of Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa, which ended last week. Journalists, TV viewers, coaches and some foreign players called for a ban of the instrument during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The debate is as loud as the instrument itself.

Ghana: New Media in the Hands of Young Ghanaians

  29 June 2009

Operated by young people, for young people, YPWC exploits new media to create links with like-minded individuals and organisations around the world to enhance opportunities for young people here in Ghana.

Africa: Bloggers pay tribute to Michael Jackson

  28 June 2009

In Africa, bloggers are paying tribute to Michael Jackson after his recent death by posting pictures, music videos, poetry and reflections. "RIP MJ," writes Kenyan blogger WildeYearnings. "You now have the whole sky to moonwalk on..."

Eritrea: Owner of Asmarino.com receives award

  27 June 2009

Tesfaldet A. Meharenna owner of Asmarino .com received an award in recognition of his outstanding achievement and excellent services at the recent Eritrean Global Solidarity symposium in Washington D.C.

Kenya: The plight of gays and lesbians in Kenya

  27 June 2009

As much as Nairobi is described as one of the more cosmopolitan cities in Africa where a lot of homosexuals find solace, homophobia is widespread. Kenyan bloggers discuss how homosexuals are named and shamed all over the Internet.

Kenya: The politics of Mass Male Circumcision

  27 June 2009

HIV Kenya discusses the politics of “Mass Male Circumcision“: It seems like a short time since the issue of mass male circumcision (MMC) became a political football and it is not even the latest issue to have that status any more. But articles about it still appear every now and...

Kenya: Why the Daily Nation beats the East African Standard

  27 June 2009

FortySouth explains the Daily Nation of Kenya beats the East African Standard: “Yes, they do, within the context of respective online presence, at the very least: Note that it was in June ‘08 that Nation moved their content from www.nationmedia.com (now the host of their corporate brands) to www.nation.co.ke. So...

Russia, Nigeria: Nigaz

Eternal Remont writes that “Gazprom has created a joint venture with Nigeria's state-owned NNPC gas company” and that the new company's name is Nigaz. License Plate Poetry has a poem on this – “But no, my dear, Russia is not racist” (via @jilliancyork).

Angola: New highway code in action

  26 June 2009

Discussions around the changes brought by the new Angolan highway code have been taking place on the blogosphere and divided society. On one hand, the new code is seen as good because it will educate careless drivers, but some argue that the legislation contains costs that not everyone is able to meet.

Togo Abolishes Death Penalty

  24 June 2009

Togo's National Assembly voted on Tuesday to end the death penalty for all crimes, making it the 15th member of the African Union to abolish capital punishment.

Malawi: Reactions to Madonna's adoption of Chifundo

  23 June 2009

For some who never knew Malawi, they have gotten to hear about the country in Africa purely because of Madonna whose full name is not known to many. It appears that the generally many Malawians are happy that Madonna is able to adopt needy children from Malawi in spite of the fears of what this trend may create.

Metropolis TV and Hivos: Independent People Videos

  23 June 2009

Metropolis TV is a Hivos and VPRO TV project based in the Netherlands, which brings together film-makers and civil video journalists from all over the world to record and transmit different aspects of life and culture in their homeland. Following, a few videos selected and played on the Netherlands TV station VPRO forWorld Humanist Day around a specific subject: to recognize individuals who live under the ideal of independence and being in control of their own lives.

South Africa: Bafana needed Bernard Parker

  18 June 2009

The Supersport commentator and blogger, Mlambo, writes about the Confederations Cup 2009 in South Africa: “The new no 17 Bernard Parker’s 20th minute goal and 12 minutes later dazzling run and shot that required Glen Moss to pull out his best save of the evening was just what I, millions...

Malawi: Malawians are not fools

  18 June 2009

Kondwani tells the British media that Malawians are not fools: “We are not a foolish people and niether do we spend time hero worship a human being. Malawi is a God fearinf[g] country, ranked number two in Africa as the most peaceful country and by the Economic Intelligence Unit as...

Kenyans Race to Get Furadan Banned

  18 June 2009

Kenyan conservationists are making gains in their push to have Furadan, a carbofuran-based pesticide that has so far caused the death of 76 lions, banned in the country. The Member of Parliament (MP) for Naivasha Constituency, Honourable John Mututho, has now joined the call for a total ban on this...

Eritrea: Analysing Asmara

  15 June 2009

Eritreans have always found it difficult to differentiate ‘freedom’ with the politically overloaded word ‘independence’, writes Gabriel Guangul.

About our Sub-Saharan Africa coverage

Zita Zage
Zita Zage is the Anglophone Africa Editor. Email her story ideas or volunteer to write.

Jean Sovon
Jean Sovon is the Francophone Africa. Editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.

Dércio Tsandzana
Dércio Tsandzana is the Lusophone (Portuguese) editor. Email him story ideas or volunteer to write.