Former African leaders fail again to meet Mo Ibrahim Prize criteria

Once again, there is no winner this year of a $5 million award for African leadership.

The Mo Ibrahim Foundation announced Thursday that no former African leader had met the “very high bar” for one of the world’s richest prizes.
The Ibrahim Prize has been awarded just four times in the decade since it was established.

Kopano Matlwa’s new novel Period Pain

 
Alert! Jacana Media has revealed the cover and title for Kopano Matlwa’s new novel.

Matlwa took the South African literary world by storm when in 2007, at just 21, she won the European Literary Award and the Wole Soyinka Prize for African Literature for her debut novel Coconut.

This title, an “instant classic”, went on to sell over 20,000 copies in South Africa alone.

Video: Former Congo vice-president Jean-Pierre Bemba sentenced to 18 years for war crimes

Bemba, a former Democratic Republic of Congo vice-president, in March became the first person to be convicted by the global war crimes court of crimes of sexual violence in war, as well as the first to be held directly responsible for his subordinates' crimes. Video after cut....

Africa summit tackles violence against albinos

During the four-day meeting people with albinism and advocates for their rights discussed ways to safeguard and improve the lives of those who suffer discrimination, health problems and even murder as a result of the condition that leaves their skin without pigment.

It is a particular problem in Africa in general and in Tanzania in particular, which is why the East African nation was chosen to host the summit.

Photos: Ooni of Ife, Oba A.E. Ogunwusi Symposium at Howard University in the United States

Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi and his wife, Olori Wuraola attended a Symposium on Culture, Healing & Development at Howard University, Washington DC, earlier today. More pics after cut....

Celebrity Birthday: Afro-Beat Legend, Femi Kuti

Femi Kuti celebrate 54 Years today. We at FOB wish the Soki Master many more years.

Photos:Generations actress Thuli Phongolo Graduation Ceremony at University of Johannesburg.

Generations actress Thuli Phongolo  graduated with a degree in strategic marketing at the University of Johannesburg. We at FOB are saying congratulations. More pics after cut...

Soweto 1976: Dear Class of '76 your struggle was not in vain By Buti Manamela

Think about it, 40 years ago on June 16 young men and women left their homes, some mere children, many not knowing they would never return while the rest never imagined they were making history.

They rose to change the course of the ugly destiny that apartheid had designed for them. They were energetic, militant, brave and cared more about common prosperity and shared wealth of their country.

IV: Book Launch: Letter To My Fathers: A Celebration of Womanhood By Tony Giggs Oyeyiola.

Mr Tony Giggs Oyeyiola will on Sunday 19th June, 2016 at the Bankers House (CBN Building), Plot 15, Adeola Hopewell, Victoria Island launch his latest book titled: Letters to my Fathers, A Celebration of Womanhood, at 2pm Prompt. It is a place to be and a must read. quite interesting and worth waiting for, all book lovers make Sunday a date. We at FOB are saying congratulations Tony on yet another milestone. Another IV after cut......

Somalia’s Youth Dying in Search of Work By Shire Salaad

 
 Somalia President, Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

In April of this year, about 500 immigrant lives were lost in the Mediterranean Sea, according to the United Nations. More than half of those who died were young Somalis trying to reach Europe as Reuters reported. Similarly, in 2013, a boat carrying more than 500 Somalis and Eritreans capsized off the cost of Lampedusa in Italy drowning more than 200 passengers. All were looking for better lives and jobs. Majority of these youths were immigrating because of lack of employment in Somalia.

The World Should Be Ashamed of the Failure to #BringBackOurGirls By Gordon Brown

Still desperate but powerless after 730 days. Still relying on a miracle. The missing schoolgirls of Chibok and their families really deserve better.

As we mark the second anniversary of the abduction and disappearance of 276 teenagers from a northeastern town in Nigeria, we have all done far too little to secure their release.

The girls, all studying hard at school before their mass kidnapping, are now a symbol of our apparent weakness to protect young lives.

Features: We can: theatre production tackles plight of refugees by BAMUTURAKI MUSINGUZI

 A scene from the musical production We Can (Tunaweza) at the National theatre

 

A new musical theatre production titled We Can (Tunaweza) is a story that presents the dreams, aspirations, anxieties and challenges that confront refugees before and after they have left their countries of origin.

The production was recently staged at the National theater by a group of youthful urban refugees and selected Ugandans under the Refugee Youth programme. It was supported by Inter-Aid Uganda, the Makerere University School of Liberal and Performing Arts (SLPA), United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and the Office of the Prime Minister.

Photos: Ooni of Ife visit to the United States House of Representatives

The Ooni of Ife Oba Enitan Adeyeye Ogunwusi,  is presently on a visit to the United States, visited the American House of Representatives. He was accompanied by his wife, Olori Wuraola, other kings, his chiefs and others. More photos after the cut.

Photos: Mzansi's bootylicious celebs

 Buhle Samuels. Matshidiso in Muvhango

 Mzansi is blessed with an abundance of naturally gifted mapakistanis, some famous and others less so.

Buhle Samuels, known as Matshidiso in the SABC2 soapie Muvhango, is the most gifted of Mzansi's celebs.
The voluptuous Phindile Gwala, Nonny in Muvhango, is second on our list, followed closely by Nomzamo Mbatha of the series Isibayaand TV presenter Thembi Seete.
Right behind them are Boity Thulo, Minnie Dlamini, Pabi Moloi, Pearl Thusi, Khanya Mkangisa and Omuhle Gela.
More pics after cut....

Photos: Tribute to Soweto Student Uprising June 16, 1976: 14 things you might not know about June 16

Mrs Nomkhitha Mashinini looking at a collage made in honour of his son, Tsietsi Mashinini, one of the leaders of the Soweto student uprising, in Johannesbourg.
Image: AFP More pics after cut....

Unprecedented Protests Hit Gambia One Of The World’s Most Repressive Countries

Gambia’s authoritarian President Yahya Jammeh has ruled the country for over 20 years. 

Gambia often receives only sparse international news coverage, but the tiny West African country of just under 2 million people has had a tumultuous few years. A bizarre, failed coup in 2014 caused chaos in the ultra-repressive state and led to violent crackdowns, and thousands decided to flee the country to Europe amid the refugee crisis.

Malawi failing to protect albino community: Amnesty

 Body parts belonging to people with albinism have become sought after in parts of southern and eastern Africa [Amnesty International]


The Malawian government has failed to protect people with albinism, leaving this group to the mercy of criminal gangs who hunt for their body parts, Amnesty International has said.
In a new report released on Tuesday, the rights body said the attacks on people with albinism over the past two years were "unprecedented" and that a lack of action on the part of authorities has created a "climate of terror" for those living with the condition.

African Union Commission Chairperson Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma "Africa ‘needs skills revolution’"

African Union Commission Chairperson Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma told the Gauteng Economic Indaba that education remained one of the biggest challenges for Africa, where less than 20% people had access to tertiary institutions.
Addressing dignitaries, businesspeople and stakeholders on Wednesday evening, Dlamini-Zuma said these low percentages of access to institutions of higher learning suggested that only the elite were being educated.
Dlamini-Zuma said more investment should be made towards education and enhancing skills among Africans.
“We must do a skill revolution on this continent and the skills should have more emphasis on science, technology engineering and maths as STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) areas,” said Dlamini-Zuma.

Photos: South Africa Soccer star Kagisho Dikgacoi's traditional wedding In Sawziland

 

UK-based Cardiff City midfielder and former Bafana Bafana player Kagisho Dikgacoi married his long-time girlfriend‚ Carina McKechnie‚ in a secret traditional wedding over the weekend in Swaziland. More pics after cut...

Are there more cattle than people in Botswana? By KATE WILKINSON

If Botswana’s cows got their act together they could have ousted President Ian Khama in the election, South African comedian Loyiso Gola joked last year.

“There are more cows than people in Botswana, if those cows were serious about life they would win this election,” Gola tweeted during the country’s national election in October.

Video: The man nicknamed the 'Louisville Lip' at his best By Marc Strydom

"I knew I had him in the first round. Almighty God was with me. I want everyone to bear witness‚ I am the greatest! I'm the greatest thing that ever lived. Videos after cut...