Photo: Ethiopia's Oromo leader, Dr Merera Gudina and 2 others, charged with terrorism

 
 Oromo Leader: Dr Merera Gudina

Dr Merera Gudina, leading opposition figure in Ethiopia and Chairman of the Oromo Federalist Congress (OFC), has finally been charged with terrorism by Ethiopian prosecutors.
Gudina is accused of meeting anti-government elements during a European tour last year. He was twice denied bail by the courts as the police continued to gather evidence for charges.
The privately run Addis Standard news portal reported that the opposition chief was charged along with two others. Jawar Mohammed a popular Oromo activist and Executive Director of the Oromia Media network and Berhanu Nega, were also charged with terrorism.

A Step Toward Justice in the Central African Republic New Court Can Help End Impunity BY Lewis Mudge

 
 President of The Central African Republic:  Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Last month I visited Bakala, a town in the center of the Central African Republic where serious fighting between two rebel groups had recently claimed at least 38 lives. A few brave residents showed me a well where seven bodies had been dumped. Nearby, we saw what looked like dried blood in a school where a man who managed to escape said 25 other people had been executed.
Ali Darassa, commander of the rebel group that witnesses identified as responsible for these killings, the Union for Peace in the Central African Republic (l'Union pour la Paix en Centrafrique, UPC), fiercely rejected the blame.  “These accusations have been made against me and my men in the past and yet look, here I am,” he declared. “I have not been arrested.”

Malusi Gigaba "Desist from rhetoric or actions that are xenophobic'

Malusi Gigaba. 

Home Affairs Minister Malusi Gigaba on Thursday warned against escalation of tensions between foreign nationals and South African citizens, saying police had been deployed in areas where violence had taken place.
Speaking ahead of a planned march against foreigners on Friday by The Mamelodi Residents Trust, Gigaba said: "There will be no progressive and sustainable victory in xenophobic violence. Opportunistic individuals who partake in it erode the human face we have struggled very hard to acquire. While a more measured approach may not make me the most popular politician, I believe it is the right thing to do".

Photo: Meet DALINGCEBO DLAMINI Swaziland MISS CULTURAL SCOT 2017/18

 

The Three Top of Swaziland Miss Cultural Scot 2017/2018 winners (L-R) first princess Nelisiwe Shongwe, the queen Dalingcebo Dlamini and second princess Phumlile Dlamini

 

 Swazi beauty Dalingcebo Dlamini’s skilful ingadla dance moves won her the crown at the Miss Cultural SCOT pageant. 

The event, full of excitement, anxiety and fun was held at the Mbabane  SCOT campus on Friday night, where 10 contestants competed  for the cultural pageant crown.  

Photo and MP3: KING SLIK RELEASES NEW SINGLE!!!

After a successful release of his debut EP “THE KING’s SPEECH”, young South African Hip
Hop sensation KING SLIK releases his 2nd follow up single “BONNIE & CLYDE”. Featured on
the chorus is another talented musician Scarab, who delivers a catchy sing-along love
anthem. Once again KING SLIK proves that he’s one of the most talented artists to come
out of South Africa.
“BONNIE & CLYDE” will definitely capture hearts, ears and the airwaves!!!

OPinion: Churches and Hunting Witches in Christian Africa By Leo Igwe

It cannot be overemphasized that churches in Africa are instrumental to the witch craze in the region. Programs and activities of faith organizations continue to fuel witchcraft suspicions with sometimes horrific consequences on alleged witches. There is an urgent need to counteract this dark and destructive process. We must call witch finding churches to order or rue it!

The main issue remains: How do we put this vicious campaign to an end? How do we restrain witch imputing churches that exist and operate across Africa? Getting African churches to join the campaign against witchcraft accusation is important because if this horrific trend must stop, the process will start in the churches, from the churches, with the churches, and by the churches.

Review: Acute Food Insecurity and Conflict in Africa

 

Food security crisis in Africa spans the center of the continent from Mali to Somalia.

Millions still at risk of starvation into 2017 as consequences of severe El Nino are still felt. 

NB: Names of countries in conflict are Bold.

 

Historic droughts in East and Southern Africa have caused food prices to skyrocket to

 record levels, doubling the price of staple cereals in some areas. The areas of greatest food 

insecurity, however, are those affected by conflict.

An arc of conflict-affected countries, largely overlapping regions of greatest food insecurity,

 spans the center of the continent from Somalia to Mali.

Marriage of lies By Meshack Mathe

Meshack Mathe

Synopsis by Meshack Mathe Bevhula.      MARRIAGE OF LIES
The story is to be directed to a book, movie and Radio Play.

The story talks about a man by the name of Rich Tshabalala who lived in the south of Johannesburg. Rich worked at a retail supermarket since he didn't go auxiliary with studies after passing grade 12. So it certainly left him with few varieties on the job market. He stayed with his younger brothers, sisters and parents in one RDP house that came into existence after the new democracy government in South Africa. Rich was the first born of his father and mother.

Video: Lorreta Releases Visuals For Mood Single

Lorreta is due to release Visuals for her debut single on the 20th February 2017 on Youtube.

With the international acclaim that Mood has achieved, from being play listed on Miami online radio and featured as artist for the month of January, to being featured on major music blogs, Lorreta Visuals after cut........

Opinion: How South Africa can turn the rising tide against vigilantism By Mary Nel

 Residents of Rosettenville burn household goods from alleged drug dens and brothels in the area


A wave of vigilante violence has recently rocked the working class suburb of Rosettenville, south of Johannesburg. It’s the latest instalment of a now all too familiar phenomenon in South Africa.
Images of people being brutally beaten or even killed by a vengeful mob are a regular feature on television, in newspapers and on social media. Private citizens often take the law into their own hands to punish perceived wrongdoers in their communities. Their aim is to improve their collective security and social order where formal law enforcement is absent or ineffective.

Photos: Cyclone Dineo Devastation Of Mozambique

TROPICAL storm Dineo left a path of destruction after her landfall in Mozambique yesterday.
Dineo has killed seven people in Mozambique since her arrival on the eastern coast earlier this week, confirmed the government’s disaster centre.
An estimated 20, 000 homes have also been destroyed as a result of severe winds and heavy rain.
It has been estimated by the government that more than 130, 000 people have been affected by the storm. More pics

Opinion: How long can Ethiopia’s state of emergency keep the lid on anger? By William Davison

Oromo people stage a protest against the government near the Hora Lake at Debre Zeyit. 

In a muted show of defiance near Ethiopia’s capital city, a tall farmer glanced around before furtively crossing his arms below his waist to make the Oromo people’s resistance symbol.
Ethiopia’s government outlawed the gesture made famous by Olympic men’s marathon silver medalist Feyisa Lilesa – who formed the “X” above his head at last year’s Rio games – when it enacted a draconian state of emergency in Octoberin an attempt to stem 11 months of protests. Although that decree has suppressed unrest, the farmer thinks demonstrations will start anew.

Photo Of The Day: Couple dresses like Adam and Eve for Valentines Day

 Today February 14th is celebrated as Valentine's day all over the world. The couples above decided to go back to biblical days by dressing like Adam and Eve. What a way to celebrate. Your views on this.  More pics after cut.....

Photo: Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Maputo supports Mamana Wa Kurula Orphanage

As part of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) “Year of Giving”, the UAE embassy in Maputo organized an event at Mamana Wa Kurula orphanage in Boane municipality near Mozambican capital, Maputo. The event was attended by UAE Ambassador in Mozambique His Excellency Asim Al-Rahmah and orphanage staff.

Photo: TROUBLE IN PARADISE FOR LAYLIZZY?

Following his recent post on social media about having relationship frustrations which caught the attention of his fans, questioning what’s going on with the fresh man, could those be signs of trouble in paradise for Laylizzy? The air is now cleared and all questions are answered as his new single, “Forever” drops on Valentine’s Day where Laylizzy has decided to pour out his feelings through music.

Photo Of The Day: Mayenzeke Shiyani in his Home in Johannesburg.

Mayenzeke Shiyani, 45 Lives in a Wall.

In his words "I miss home, especially waking up to Morvite, Weetbix and Jungle Oats for breakfast. I miss my mother and my two sisters, who I left behind when I took a bus to the city," Shiyani said.
He spends most of his time tucked in under his bright yellow blanket in the crack of a wall on Commissioner Street opposite the Johannesburg Central Police Station. He said he only leaves his cranny in order to go and wash himself, to buy food or to listen to a favourite radio station.

Photos: Governor of Bayelsa State and his Wife Racheal Dickson and their Quadruplets.

Racheal Dickson the wife of the Bayelsa  State Governor, Seriake Dickson was yesterday February 12th 2017 welcomed home with her set of quadruplets, a boy and three girls from the United States where she delivered last September. They were received at the state house by her husband, Seriake Dickson, family members, friends and government officials.  We at FOB rejoice with the Governor of Bayelsa state, his family and the good people of the state. More pics after cut.....

Photos: Wedding Ceremony of Prince Ola Juwon and Christy Dos Santos Tsokela in South Africa.

                                                              The Couples: Juwon and Christy

On Saturday February 11th 2017, Pretoria Big Boy, Industrialist and Zonal Coordination of the Pretoria Perch one of the Perches under the Madiba Aviary, Prince Ola Juwon got married to his heart brow Christy Dos Santos Tsokela at a colorful wedding in Marapyane, Mpumalanga in South Africa. We at FOB are saying HWL. More pics after cut.....

TurnUp Music: TURNING THE SA MUSIC SPHEREAROUND WITH TURNUP MUSIC

 

Officially launched in August 2016, TurnUp Music is an exclusively South African bred music downloading service created to enhance the consumers’ support of local music.

In just 6 months since its official launch, TurnUp Music has managed to grow the audience and reach of music submitted to the platform by local artists and independent record labels. In collaboration with Endemol Shine Africa and WeChat, this new and exciting digital disruption platform places the careers of local musicians in safe hands.

Photo: BURNA BOY DROPS NEW SINGLE, “HALLELUJAH”

 

Afro-fusion artist, Burna Boy releases new single, “Hallelujah,” his first official release in 2017.

 

The new song titled“Hallelujah”is a mid-tempo inspirational track with lyrics that cut across many demographics; it is a song everyone can relate to because every human has a reason to be thankful. MP3 Hallelujah after cut......

LAYLIZZY SHINES AS THE BEST HIP HOP ACT AT THE VODACOM AWARDS

 

One would definitely say, “What a great way indeed it is to start the year.”

Following his latest feature on the 2017 HYPE Magazine’s Freshmen Edition, as clearly captioned, Laylizzy is built to takeover.

Having managed to create a huge buzz over a short period of time, Laylizzy was nominated and ultimately took home the accolade for the Best Hip Hop Act 2016 at the Vodacom Ring back Tunes Awards which took place in Mozambique recently.

The 1^st Vodacom Ring back Tunes Awards serve to reward artists who are part of the Vodacom RBT platform and being among some of the biggest acts in Mozambique, Laylizzy was nominated under the Best Newcomer and Best Hip Hop Act 2016 Categories. Another pic after cut......

Opinion: Dangerously cheap: The story behind Kenya's illegal abortions By AMANDA FISHER

 'Mary' felt she had no choice but to risk a back-alley abortion in Nairobi.

The issue of abortion in Kenya has been mired in confusion and contention for the past six years.
In 2010, a new constitution was passed, heralded globally as a progressive foundational document for its principles of gender equality in parliament; freedom of media; and formation of an independent Human Rights and Equality Commission to investigate human rights abuses.
That includes the three provisions that permit abortions where, “in the opinion of a trained health professional, there is a need for emergency treatment, or the life or health of the mother is in danger, or if permitted by any other written law.”

Photo: Ian and Janine Maxwell, Canadian couple builds farm, school, orphanage in Swaziland.

 Janine and Ian Maxwell run a orphanage, farm and school in Swaziland.

It takes a village to raise a child and so, Janine and Ian Maxwell have built one.

Ian is originally from Ottawa and the pair is back in the community this week from their new home in Swaziland, where they have built a farm, orphanage and school that is currently looking out for 148 kids under the age of six.

Their faith-based charity Heart for Africa works on child nutrition and education in Swaziland, a country with high infant mortality and HIV rates.

Photos: Meet The Miss South Africa 2017 Finalists

BOIPELO MABE
Hails from: Alexandra, Gauteng
Age: 23
Occupation: Full-time masters student, model and news reader on Soweto TV.
Fast fact: She used to be embarrassed that her dad was a taxi driver. "I've realised that it was his presence, love and support that mattered most to my growth and development as a young woman, not his job title.” More pics after cut.....

Photos: South African Gospel Singer Lundi Tyamara Memorial Service at The Grace Bible Church in Soweto

Rebecca Malope performing during memorial service. RIP Lundi Tyamara. More pics after cut..