Opinion: THE ART OF COMBATING XENOPHOBIA THROUGH CULTURAL DIVERSITY By Lisa Bokani Motsu

“To oppose knowledge? God forbid! Nay, for God, knowledge is the most glorious gift of man and the most noble of human perfections. To oppose knowledge is ignorant, and he who detests knowledge and science is not a man, but rather an animal without intelligence. For knowledge is light, life, felicity, perfection, beauty and the means of approaching the Threshold of Unity. It is the honour and glory of the world of humanity, and the greatest bounty of God. Knowledge is identical with guidance, and ignorance is real error” Abdu'l Baho

Humanity? Humanity is just a dictionary word to us today. Humanity? An illusion we have fixed in our minds that exist not. Together, we were in the struggle but look at us now. Turned against one another like adversaries in a war, we have become unsympathetic of our own so effortlessly. This bolt from the blue has turned our soft hearts to wickedness and selfish desire. Desire to bring about violence, desire to hurt and desire to end lives. Impeccable lives for that matter. People are engrossed and enthralled by fear as minds have no traceable idea if they will live to see another day or not.

MUSIC: MEET HYPNOSIS: Music Composer, Producer and Song Writer From South Africa

 More pics and Music after cut.....

Will Technology Ruin Your Children’s Development? By Dhruvin Patel

Multiple digital devices

Technology has completely changed virtually every aspect of our society over the past few decades, from the way we work to the way we socialize and everything in between. One of the differences that have been most noticeable is the change in the way that children play and interact with each other from previous generations. Although technology does provide many positive benefits for learning, it also can have several negative effects on child development and quality of life.

One of the biggest differences in the way that children live today is that they don’t get as much exercise as they used to. This is because technology such as computers, smart phones and television encourages them to be sedentary when they get home from school, as opposed to going outside and playing with other kids. Child obesity rates have risen drastically over the past several decades. In 2012, the child obesity rate was measured to be 18 percent, which is an 11 point difference from the obesity rate in 1980. While many schools and parents have made strides to change this by promoting organized exercise both during and after school, we still have a long way to go in helping kids playing in more conventional ways. More pics after cut

RAS SET TO SHOWCASE AT THE MUSIC IMBIZO 2019

The Music Imbizo International business conference and exhibition turns 10 this year, making its return to the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban. African

hip hop artist and music producer, Ras (shorthand for Real African Seed) will be gracing the stage as one of the artists set to showcase at The Werehouse while celebrating the milestone. 

The Music Imbizo is an international music business conference with over 120 speakers from 30 countries. It is a space to network, do business, exhibit and have some facetime with clients and potential clients. The event provides attendees with an opportunity to network and collaborate. 

The Music Imbizo 2019 Showcase at The Werehouse on Friday, the 30th of August comprises of a mix of local and international talent. Ras joins a fresh musical line up with other African music acts including Gigi LaMayne, Beast and Mnqobi Yaz all representing South Africa alongside other acts from Zimbabwe, Ghana and Senegal. More pics after cut...…….

Opinion: Ode to President Kagame of Rwanda for the leadership

 
 President Paul Kagame

The Economist, in a 2017 article, rated President Paul Kagame of Rwanda as the world’s most successful general saying: “When Paul Kagame was 28, he helped topple the government of Uganda. At 36 he overthrew the government of Rwanda. At 39 he ousted the government of Congo (which was then called Zaire).”

Lazarus Chigwandali: the Malawian busker overturning prejudice about albinism By Laura Barton

 Lazarus Chigwandali

Since that Sunday in June, life has shifted considerably for Lazarus. He has recorded his first album, Stomp on the Devil, produced by Hugo, and a film about his life just premiered at Tribeca film festival, directed by the Oscar-nominated David Darg. He has performed at the Lake of Stars festival and Madonna is a fan – “A powerful voice of a new generation in Malawi,” she wrote beneath the picture of the pair she posted on Instagram. Musical Video after cut.....

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11 Get United Nations Appointment.

The Emir of Kano, His Royal Highness Muhammadu Sanusi 11, currently facing series of intimidation from his state government was today the 10th of May 2019 appointed by the Secretary General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres as one of the 17 man Advocates for 2019-2020 of the United Nations New Sustainable Development Goals. The SDG advocates is co-chaired by Ghanian President Nana Akufo-Addo and Erna Solberg the Prime Minister of Norway.

Opinion: Malawi needs transformational leadership By Emily Mkamanga

 Malawi President: Peter Mutharika

As it were, all the attention in this month’s elections is on who is likely to be Malawi’s next President.
So far, the presidential candidates have said enough in their campaigns for people to make up their minds on who to vote for.
The competition among the candidates is very stiff. Even being in government, as the case is with President Peter Mutharika, does not seem to be an added advantage. The problem here is that his five-year rule has been full of misery due to allowing corruption, stealing of public resources and general abuse of power. Therefore, all the presidential candidates are starting from the same level.
Naturally, Mutharika would want to be a step ahead because of what he has done for the people of Malawi. He has recently promoted teachers and police officers. These promotions were long overdue and, maybe it is done now for the sake of buying more votes.

South Africa Decide 2019

The African National Congress (ANC)

On the 8th May 2019, Africa's strongest democracy, South Africa will go to the polls to vote for their national and provincial officers. Over 26,756,898 million South Africans eligible voters will decide whether to continue the 25 years reign of the African National Congress (ANC) or a change of guard. More than 40 political parties are registered for the national and provincial elections but the race will surely be between the three major political parties namely, the African National Congress (ANC), the Democratic Alliance (DA) and the Economic Freedom Party (EFF). More pics after cut...

Opinion: The crocodile and the duck By Cathy Buckle

 Zimbabwe President Emmerson Mnangagwa

Sitting at the water’s edge watching hippos and crocodiles, white-faced whistling ducks and skittish spoonbills this Easter, the reality of Zimbabwe’s political, economic and humanitarian crisis was never far from my mind. Stopping on the way to my destination I was horrified to discover that the price of bread had gone up from $1.20 to $3.50 a loaf. On exclaiming at the huge price increase, the teller said: “But it’s only RTGS dollars.” RTGS dollars are the only dollars that most ordinary people have in Zimbabwe but these Bond Notes are now worth 300% less than they were worth just two months ago, as are our bank balances, salaries, life savings and pensions.

Meet: Botswana 5 Top Female Artist

 Amantle Brown

Amantle Brown is an R&B artist who started on a local talent show called My Star and made it to the finale. Her first album titled Sa Pelo gave the artist her place in the industry with hits like Black Mampatile and Moratiwa which dominated local radio airwaves.

She was nominated for several awards including the Botswana Music Union Awards Best RnB and Best New Comer in 2015. Since then she has also collaborated with other artists with amazing music.

She released Follo, a romantic song featuring one of the local artists which was inspired by Afro Beats which exposed her artistic range and embrace of a more African sound.

She is a songwriter, singer, and performer who is known to deliver quality all rounded performances. Her work now extends to being a judge on Melody Gospel Television on Botswana Television. More pics after cut....

‘In Burundi, the crackdown continues in the shadows, with impunity’ – Human Rights Watch

 
 Burundi's Pierre Nkurunziza

Four years Llater, crisis risks further escalation ahead of elections
In Mid-April an audio recording made the rounds on Burundian social media. In it, a speaker described as a senior police officer delivered a chilling message directed at the government’s political opponents: “If you want to disrupt security, I’ll finish with you there, and if you’re with your wife and children, you’ll go together.” If authentic, the threats aimed at Burundi’s new opposition party members, the Congrès National pour la Liberté (National Congress for Freedom, CNL), would demonstrate disturbing disregard for the rule of law.

Music Submission : Durban Solid - Angelina

 

As the love of month progresses, stories of love are told through music and Angelina is one of them.

Durban Solid have been working behind the scene with various production houses to craft what is now called Durban Kwaito.

Public Statement From Nigerian Union South Africa on the Recent Xenophobia Attacks In South Africa

Meet Thando Hopa the first woman with albinism to cover Vogue

South African Lawyer, activist and model Thando Hopa is making history on the latest cover of Vogue Portugal.

Hopa is the first woman with albinism to be on the cover of the prestigious high fashion magazine.

The April issue, dubbed 'African Motherland', is meant to honour the African continent and highlight the importance of representation.