When China sneezes, does Africa catch a cold? By Nicholas Norbrook

 While commodity exporters will feel the pinch from China's recent economic slowdown, the price collapse may help with the continent's much-needed economic transformation.

It has no precedent in human history: the emergence of hundreds of millions of people into industrial-era jobs and living standards. It was the result of 40 years of 10% growth since the death of Mao Zedong in 1976. The last time a continent-sized country industrialised this successfully – the United States – the number of people involved was in the tens of millions.

There are over 80m labour-intensive jobs from China that Africa can capture

Meet Chief Kachindamoto, Malawi's fearsome chief, terminator of child marriages

 Chief Theresa Kachindamoto

 The mild-mannered woman who zips around a farmhouse packed with knick-knacks and insists her guests eat a meal before any introductions, presents a character at odds with her fearsome reputation of being Malawi's top marriage terminator.
Thirteen years ago, Theresa Kachindamoto could not have conceived of ever leaving her job of 27 years as a secretary at a city college in Zomba, another district in Southern Malawi.

Photos: President Buhari In Washington DC for Nuclear Security Summit

President Muhammadu Buhari is presently in Washington DC to attend the Nuclear Security Summit where h discussion would be on Protecting uranium and plutonium from terrorists. More pics after cut...

Photos: EFF Leader, Julius Malema Guaduation Ceremony at UNISA

 Julius Malema with Judge Bernard Ngoepe, UNISA Chancellor, and Prof Mandla Makhanya, UNISA Principal

Malema has attained a Bachelors of Arts degree in Communications and African Studies from the University of South Africa. We at FOB are saying congratulations Malema. More pics after cut...

Motswana woman pushes local boundaries on women nudity By Thato Chuma

Can anyone tell me what is wrong with this picture?: A local up and coming model is photographed obscurely nude in a bath tub with flowers floating on blue coloured water and the reaction from some observers was outrage that she did not Photoshop her stretch marks .
For the past few days, model Gotlhe Kgosi’s sensual pictures, which are featured on popular American culture blog ‘Afropunk,’ sparked a colourful conversation on social media about women and their bodies. She is seen obscurely nude, and the first thing that catches the eye is her untouched stretch marks, captured by Botswana based photographer ‘Van de aarde’.  The reaction to the pictures ranged from outrage, specifically about her stretch marks than her nudity to cheers for embracing her flaws.

Photo of the Day: Nigeria VP Wife, Dolapo Osinbajo Courtesy to President Buhari and Asiwaju Tinubu

This was at the 8th Bola Tinubu Colloquium in Abuja on 29 March2016, another pic after cut...

Photos: Black Coffee 40th Birthday Celebration

The We Dance Again hitmaker held a black tie birthday party on the day, attended by family and his close friends. More pics after cut

Renaissance Period: A fresh look at the business of African art By Shelley Seid

CREATIVE VISION: Magdalene Reddy, the new executive director of Durban's African Art Centre, stands below Mlamuli Mkhwanzi's work, 'Cancelled'. Reddy wants to help KZN artists move with the trends 

A new executive director, Magdalene Reddy, has been appointed and design guru Yanni Vosloo, merchandise director of Mr Price Home, has been chosen as the new chairman of the board. Both have brought fresh, creative ideas to the organisation.
The African Art Centre provides a sustainable income for more than 1000 crafters, but Reddy wants to take this further.

Photos: What ISIS Really Wants

What is the Islamic State?

Where did it come from, and what are its intentions? The simplicity of these questions can be deceiving, and few Western leaders seem to know the answers. In December, The New York Times published confidential comments by Major General Michael K. Nagata, the Special Operations commander for the United States in the Middle East, admitting that he had hardly begun figuring out the Islamic State’s appeal. “We have not defeated the idea,” he said. “We do not even understand the idea.” In the past year, President Obama has referred to the Islamic State, variously, as “not Islamic” and as al-Qaeda’s “jayvee team,” statements that reflected confusion about the group, and may have contributed to significant strategic errors.

Congolese Politician, Jean-Pierre Bemba Convicted of War Crimes by the ICC

The International Criminal Court convicted a Congolese politician, Jean-Pierre Bemba, of war crimes and crimes against humanity on Monday, finding him culpable for a devastating campaign of rape, murder and torture in the Central African Republic in 2002 and 2003.

A panel of three judges convicted Mr. Bemba of murder and pillaging, and defined the large-scale rape by his soldiers as a crime against humanity and as a war crime.

Photos: 2016 SAFTAs

 Chiedza Mhende of Generations

The 2016 South African Film and Television Awards (SAFTAs) took place in Gallagher Estate, in Midrand, on Sunday night. More pics after cut...

Africa no continent for old men

 

Today we explore the world according to life expectancy.
Africa is the only continent where nations have an average life expectancy below 60, and there are 28 of them.
Even relatively developed South Africa's dying age is 59.

Malawi president denounces TB Joshua's death 'prophecy'

 

 Nigerian pastor TB Joshua 

 

 Malawian President Peter Mutharika on Sunday attacked a popular Nigerian television evangelist over an alleged prophecy that he would die before April 1, state television reported."I'm told there is a man in Nigeria called Joshua and he is saying that Zimbabwe President Robert Mugabe and Peter Mutharika will die before April 1," he said, referring to an evangelical preacher called TB Joshua.
"Let me tell you, Joshua... you will fail. What you did in 2012 will not happen again this year," the president told a rally in the capital Lilongwe.

South Sudan is dying, and nobody is counting

A Turkana boy herds livestock to grazing grounds in the disputed area of the Ilemi triangle in northwestern Kenya near the borders with Ethiopia and South Sudan.
Image by: REUTERS

 

Men, women and children have been shot, speared, burned, castrated, hung, drowned, run over, suffocated, starved and blown up, their corpses abandoned where they fell, bulldozed into mass graves or, in at least one case, eaten in ritual cannibalism.
But the UN has stuck to a guesstimate of 10,000 dead since the early months of the war, even as the killing escalated and spread across the country.

'Italy's largest contractor a threat to thousands in Kenya and Ethiopia'

The Karo Tribe are one of the endangered tribes of the world with an estimated population of 1.500. They live in South Ethiopia along the banks of the Omo River. File photo
Image by: Massimo Rumi 

 

 

Survival International (SI)‚ a global movement for the rights of tribal peoples‚ reported engineering giant Salini to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development over the construction of the dam‚ which has cut off the Omo River’s regular flooding‚ which 100‚000 people rely on to water their crops and livestock.

Photos: New Catholic report tells stories of murder, kidnapping and torture in West Papua

Pacific horror: A new Catholic report has shown allegations of recent military and
police intimidation, beatings and torture, kidnapping and murder in the country.

ALLEGATIONS of recent military and police intimidation, beatings and torture,
kidnapping and murder in West Papua, have been documented in a new Church report.
The report documents Muslims being radicalised in the once predominantly Christian
 Papuan provinces,
 and “very active” Muslim militias that burn down Papuan houses.
The report was compiled by the Brisbane Catholic Justice and Peace Commission’s
 Shadow Human Rights Fact Finding Mission to West Papua, following a visit to
West Papua last month.
It has not yet been publicly released, nor comment sought from Indonesian authorities.

Photos: AMVCA 2016: Which of your Nollywood stars nailed it?

 Rita Dominic
 More pics after cut.....

Deadly 'reprisal attacks' hit Central African Republic

Violence between rival militias has left thousands dead and displaced more than 400,000 people [EPA]

 

At least 10 people have been killed in clashes between rival armed groups in Central African Republic, police said.
The violence in the eastern town of Bambari appeared to be "in reprisal" for the murder of two young Muslims by unidentified assailants on March 2, a police spokeswoman said on Monday.
"We currently have a tally of 10 dead, including the two young Muslims whose death prompted the violence," the spokeswoman said, adding that "a majority" of the victims were civilians.

Malawi and Africa continue to grapple with how to deal with 'albino hunters' By JAMES ODZIWA

 

Persecution of people with albinism (sometimes abbreviated PWA) is occurring in the African continent for different reasons. One is based on the belief that certain body parts of albinistic people can transmit magical powers. Such superstition is present especially in some parts of the African Great Lakes region, it has been promulgated and exploited by witch doctors and others who use such body parts as ingredients in rituals, concoctions and potions with the claim that their magic will bring prosperity to the user (muti or medicine murder).

As a result, people with albinism have been persecuted, killed and dismembered, and graves of albinos dug up and desecrated. At the same time, people with albinism have also been ostracized and even killed for exactly the opposite reason, because they are presumed to be cursed and bring bad luck. The persecutions of people with albinism take place mostly in Sub-Saharan African communities, especially among East Africans, with Malawi amongst those countries.

Forbes Woman Africa and MTN Business Come Together For First Leading Women Summit In Johannesburg, South Africa.

  More than 120 leaders and influencers in business, politics, technology, media, philanthropy, fashion and entertainment will be participating in the first annual Leading Women Summit presented by MTN Business in association with Forbes Woman Africa, which will be held in Johannesburg on March 10, 2016. The invitation-only summit will bring together a multi-generational group of influential women to forge partnerships, find solutions, and take actions with the theme for this year titled: The Rise Of The Millennial.

Photos: King of Fuji Music Wasiu Ayinde, K1 De Ultimate 59th Birthday Celebration at La Vida Bella Lounge In Lagos

  Sunday 6th of March, 2016  the King of Fuji music K1 de Ultimate celebrated his 59th birthday at La Vida Bella Lounge in Lekki, Lagos, Nigeria. Guest list included Mayor Akinpelu, Lamex, Adekunle Gold, Alhaji too much, Seye Kehinde , Dr Ayo Abina, Bukky wright, Bimbo Akintola, Lola Alao, Architect Harif Ojikutu, Deola Soetan, Kenny Awe,Kehinde Bankole, Soji Asolo , Semi Arisekola Alao, Cecil Hammond, Oloye fijabi. More pics after cut...

Watch: The Game of Thrones season 6 trailer is finally here!

The 100-second whistlestop tour through the fictional continent of Westeros offers up a mouth-watering smorgasbord of violence, gore, semi-nudity and more violence as viewers are given glimpses of several future storylines in rapid succession. Posted to YouTube by GameofThrones

Photos: SA President Jacob Zuma Official Visit To Nigeria.

 South Africa President Zuma was recently in Nigeria on a two days official visit where issues bordering on trade and African security were discussed. President Zuma also addressed a joint sitting of the National Assembly where he presented a powerful speeeh. More pics and Zuma speech after cut...

Combating sexual, gender violence through community mobilisation By Ephraim Kasozi

 

For two decades, Uganda experienced armed conflict in the northern and eastern regions which resulted in diverse effects on the community like mass displacement and the destruction of families, livelihoods, infrastructure and the environment.
The conditions led to cultural fragmentation, abject poverty and vulnerability to preventable diseases, sexual abuse, mutilation and death. The prevalence of Sexual and Gender-based Violence (SGBV) is among the most severe costs and consequences of conflict.

SABC soapies under fire By Traditional Healers Organisation

The Traditional Healers Organisation (THO) has accused the SABC of unfair portrayal of African culture and religion.

The main issue is about storylines in Generations: The Legacy and Muvhango.
THO complained that the two popular soapies depicted African spirituality, traditional healing and ubungoma in a derogatory way.

Photos: Minister of State for Labour and Family Perish in Ghastly Motor Accident.. Graphic images

 Minister of state for Labour, Barrister James Ocholi yesterday Sunday 7th February 2016 lost his life with that of his wife and son in a ghastly motor accident in Abuja. We at FOB mourn with President Buhari, the APC, the good people of Kogi State and the Ocholi family. May their gentle soul rest in perfect peace. More pics after cut.. Please be warned contain graphic images

Photo and Official Video: LAYLIZZY AND AKA SAY “HELLO,” WILL YOU PICK UP THE PHONE?

Social media went buzzing as soon as Mr. SuperMega, AKA made an announcement about an upcoming single that he is featured on by Geobek Records signed, Mozambique born and bred award winning hip hop artist, Laylizzy. As quoted during his announcement, “Look out world, @akaworldwide & @Laylizzy COMING SOON, @ellputo. #SA #Mozambique LINK UP #HelloLaylizzy” Video after cut

Photo of the Day: Made in Nigeria Garri, kulikuli, sugar, and groundnut on sale

Greatest British Novels Ever

What does the rest of the world see as the greatest British novels? In search of a collective critical assessment, BBC Culture contributor Jane Ciabattari polled 82 book critics, from Australia to Zimbabwe – but none from the UK. This list includes no nonfiction, no plays, no narrative or epic poems (no Paradise Lost or Beowulf), no short story collections (no Morte D’Arthur) – novels only, by British authors (which means no James Joyce).

Photos: Lupita Nyong’o and Trevor Noah, and Their Meaningful Roles; By PHILIP GALANES

 Lupita Nyong’o, an Oscar-winning actress, and Trevor Noah, the host of “The Daily Show,” at the Dutch in SoHo.

 

 

The most intriguing stars seem to appear from out of nowhere.

Take Lupita Nyong’o, the Mexican-Kenyan actress who had not even graduated from Yale School of Drama before landing her star-making role as Patsey in “12 Years a Slave,” for which she won an Academy Award for best supporting actress in 2014.

Or Trevor Noah, the comedian from Johannesburg, who had appeared on “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central a scant three times before being named Jon Stewart’s successor last March.

Nigeria, corruption and 'the Goodluck Jonathan alibi'

President Buhari


Hardly a week goes by without the country's anti-graft agency announcing new arrests and investigations to add to the prominent politicians already in the dock.
But the longer the cases already brought to court drag on, the clearer it becomes that a potential setback could prevent Buhari from securing the convictions he has promised -- and Nigerians demand.
Call it "the Goodluck Jonathan alibi".

African Economic Prospects and the Threat Posed by Terrorism By Linda-Ann Akanvou

 


It is necessary for the international community to become more involved in the war against groups like Boko Haram. The current trend of sideline participation makes the war on extremism in Africa a more challenging endeavor and does little to protect international economic interests in the region.
African countries have progressively opened themselves to international trade and foreign investment.

Re-evaluating the Boko Haram conflict By Jideofor Adibe

 

Introduction

Many political analysts had projected that if Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani Muslim won the March 2015 Nigerian presidential election, it could lead to the deceleration of the Boko Haram conflict because the local grievances into which those terrorists tap would be removed. Unfortunately, despite President Buhari’s victory at the polls, the Boko Haram conflict has failed to abate. In fact, it has been estimated that between the time Buhari was sworn in as president on May 29, 2015 and the end of October 2015, more than 2,000 Nigerians have lost their lives to Boko Haram. These tragedies have occurred despite the fact that fighting the terrorists has clearly been one of the Buhari regime’s top priorities.

UN to send human rights team to Burundi

Military vehicles lead the way as South African President Jacob Zuma arrives as the head of an Africa Union-lead delegation in an attempt to broker dialogue to end months of violence in Burundi's capital Bujumbura February 25, 2016.
Image by:  REUTERS

 

 The three investigators are due to visit Burundi for a week from March 1, the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) said in a statement.
The three experts -- from Algeria, Colombia and South Africa -- are members of the UN's Independent Investigation on Burundi (UNIIB) office, set up in December and tasked with carrying out, "an investigation into violations and abuses of human rights with a view to preventing further deterioration of the human rights situation."

Children in Africa denied access to life-saving vaccines

Medical charity Doctors Without Borders said global pharmaceutical companies should be taken to task for charging "inflated vaccine prices" that keep the drugs out of reach of the world's poorest. File photo
Image by: Thinkstock Images.

 

 

 It noted a dramatic rise in child vaccination rates in Africa - from 57% in 2000 to 80% in 2014 - but said more needed to be done to prevent the spread of diseases such as measles, rubella and neonatal tetanus, which have been virtually eradicated in parts of the world but remain prevalent and deadly in Africa.