Confessions of a foreign correspondent
Despite being African, I still reinforced all the Western media's stereotypes about the 'Dark Continent.' Regina Jere-Malanda | September 2004 issue Looking back on many years I worked as a ‘foreign correspondent’ for Western media in South Africa, I now realise that I was not only paid for Read More...
I am because you are
Ode invited Baffour Ankomah, chief-editor of New African magazine, to explain Africa's wisdom to the rest of the world. Baffour Ankomah | September 2004 issue A friend in Prague forwarded me one of those ubiquitous e-mails that are sent and re-sent to everybody around the world who happens to have Read More...
Profile: George Weah
George Weah, celebrated as the best African soccer player of the 20th century, is scoring a lot more for than goals for his country.Marco Visscher | September 2004 issue In an era when top-ranking soccer players want to be paid to play for their national teams in World Cup competition, George Weah Read More...
Profile: Oumou Sy
Oumou Sy's fashion designs show off Africa's playful, unpredictable spirit. Bram Posthumus | September 2004 issue Although Oumou Sy grew up away from Dakar, Senegal’s cosmopolitan capital, and taught herself the fashion trade, she now reigns as the nation’s premier clothes designer. Read More...
Profile: Rokia Traor
Rokia Traor Ton Maas | September 2004 issue Across Africa, there is considerable discussion over he question of who is the greatest male vocalist—Youssou N’Dour or perhap Salif Keïta? But when it comes to the greatest female, there is little debate. The young Malinese singer Rokia Read More...
Profile: Strive Masiyiwa
From electrotechnician to mobile magnate. Bram Posthumus | September 2004 issue Nowhere is the market for mobile telephony growing faster than in Africa, which is no surprise. The old-fashioned fixed telephone network barely functions. Particularly in major cities, the only way to reach someone is Read More...
There is not enough africa in computers
Brian Eno - artist, composer, inventor, thinker - spoke to Wired about the meaning of Africa for music and technology. Kevin Kelly | September 2004 issue "Africa is everything that something like classical music isn’t. Classical—perhaps I should say “orchestral”—music is so digital, so Read More...
The world according to ubuntu
'I am because you are.' This widespread African teaching reminds us that you cannot be human alone. Tijn Touber | September 2004 issue The African equivalent to Rene Descartes’s famous dictum, “I think, therefore I am,” which is the foundation of much modern Western culture, is called ubuntu Read More...
Trouble in the townships
Blacks have only gotten poorer since the ANC has been in power in South Africa. Bearing pickaxes and pliers, the poor of South Africa are learning that if they want to rebuild their nation they will have to do it for themselvesPaul Kingsnorth | October 2003 issue A young man in a red T-shirt Read More...