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Friday, July 28, 2023

Niger coup: Abdourahmane Tchiani declares himself leader

Gen Abdourahmane Tchiani takes to the airwaves in military fatigues after staging a dramatic coup.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/A4IoBry
via Gabe's Musing's

Netball World Cup 2023: South Africa ready to 'showcase' historic tournament

As South Africa prepares to become the first African nation to host the Netball World Cup, shooter Lenize Potgieter tells BBC Sport what to expect.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/eDxcbgl
via Gabe's Musing's

Thursday, July 27, 2023

Women's World Cup: Argentina comeback earns draw with South Africa

Argentina come from two goals down to draw with South Africa and deny them a first ever Women's World Cup victory.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/KB5fFcP
via Gabe's Musing's

Prigozhin: Wagner boss spotted in Russia during Africa summit

Meanwhile at the summit, Vladimir Putin said Russia was ready to send free grain exports to Africa.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/dJHkG0i
via Gabe's Musing's

Unfamiliar Landscapes: Exploring Africa's Unique Flora and Fauna

When we say "Africa," what do you see? Perhaps a sundrenched savannah, studded with acacia trees and animated by prowling lions, herds of elephants, and gazelles? Or do you imagine dense jungles filled with the chattering of unseen creatures, the deafening chorus of cicadas, the elusive gorilla? While these images resonate with truth, Africa's biodiversity, much like its cultural heritage, is significantly more complex and multi-dimensional.

Each corner of the continent boasts its unique ecology, an intricate tapestry of life formed over millennia by a confluence of climate, geology, and evolution. Africa is a grand theater where nature unfolds its most spectacular dramas, where life's most fundamental struggles and triumphs play out every moment.

In the Sahara's heat-blasted wilderness, you'll find the fennec fox with its oversized ears, perfect for dissipating heat. Journey to the ethereal landscapes of the Ethiopian Highlands, and you'll encounter the Ethiopian wolf, the world's rarest canid, thriving in the Afroalpine ecosystem.

Venture deeper into the continent, into the humid rainforests of the Congo Basin, home to okapis – a relative of the giraffe that bears zebra-like stripes on its legs, a fantastical creature that wasn't known to the Western world until the early 20th century.

Along the fringes of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, you'll see herds of African elephants, the largest land mammals, elegantly navigate through water channels. These elephants have adapted to an aquatic lifestyle, a testament to the resilience and versatility of life.

In the flora, too, Africa paints a vivid picture. From the mighty baobab trees, nature's own water storage tanks, to the colorful explosion of South Africa's fynbos, one of the world's six floral kingdoms, Africa's plant life is as diverse as its wildlife.

The fever tree, named so due to early misbeliefs about its relation to malaria, brightens the landscape with its luminous, yellow-green bark. The quiver tree of Namibia, used by San people to make quivers for their arrows, stands defiant against the desert sky, a living relic of an ancient time.

Africa, in all its biological richness, is a testament to life's tenacity and ingenuity. Unfamiliar landscapes and unique ecosystems beckon us to explore, understand, and most importantly, conserve. For in preserving Africa's flora and fauna, we secure the health of our planet, our home.

As we continue our journey, let us remember: every creature, every plant has a role in the grand symphony of life. Each unfamiliar landscape is a new opportunity for discovery and understanding, a new chapter in our shared story with the natural world.

Women's World Cup 2023: South Africa icon Ellis on her post-apartheid journey

Pioneering coach Desiree Ellis on the growth of women’s football and leading her nation at a second World Cup.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/PvdneCy
via Gabe's Musing's

Russia-Africa summit: What can we expect?

Forty African head of states are expected to attend the second Russia-Africa in St Petersburg.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/ujHg7XB
via Gabe's Musing's

Wednesday, July 26, 2023

Russia-Africa summit: Putin seeks to extend influence

Russia's president is hosting a summit of African leaders in a bid to increase Moscow's influence.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/lhDYHVg
via Gabe's Musing's

Niger soldiers announce coup on national TV

Elite troops have detained the president - now officers say they are closing the country's borders.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/Vf0taSz
via Gabe's Musing's

Davido video: Wole Soyinka defends Nigerian Afrobeats star in Muslim row

The Afrobeats star came under fire for sharing a music video which offended some Muslims.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/Ew9aC7U
via Gabe's Musing's

Zambia beaten 5-0 again as Spain progress

Spain coach Jorge Vilda warns there is more to come from his side after they thrashed Zambia to progress to the last 16 of the Fifa Women's World Cup with a game to spare.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/8w2WLJa
via Gabe's Musing's

Africa's Unsung Heroes: Spotlighting Lesser-Known Figures in African History

Africa’s history, like the tapestry it is, is woven together with stories of remarkable individuals who've left indelible marks on the sands of time. Yet, many of these heroes remain obscured by the shadows of the well-known figures. Today, we shine the spotlight on some of Africa's unsung heroes, casting light on their contributions and the remarkable legacies they’ve left behind.

Beginning with the innovative Folorunso Alakija, a Nigerian businesswoman who climbed the echelons of the oil industry - a domain typically dominated by men. Despite encountering obstacles, she broke barriers and currently stands as one of the richest women in Africa.

Let's also delve into the story of Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, an environmental health campaigner from Ghana. Driven by personal tragedy, she's been pivotal in raising awareness about the dire consequences of air pollution, prompting significant policy changes on a global scale.

We'd be remiss not to mention Dr. Denis Mukwege from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Despite working in a war-torn region, Dr. Mukwege has dedicated his life to treating victims of sexual violence, garnering him a Nobel Peace Prize for his unwavering courage and resilience.

The narrative of Africa isn’t solely written by famous political leaders or renowned artists, it’s also shaped by people like Alakija, Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, and Mukwege. They represent the unsung heroes who, through their courage, tenacity, and dedication, have carved paths for future generations to follow. Their stories are reminders of the strength and resilience inherent in the African spirit.

As we journey through the annals of African history, let's endeavor to shed light on these and other lesser-known figures. Each of them, in their own way, has played a role in shaping Africa's rich history and diverse cultural landscape. They truly are Africa's unsung heroes. 

Deadly Mediterranean wildfires kill more than 40

Wildfires have claimed most lives in Algeria, but blazes are also widespread in Greece and Italy.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/W02ybrQ
via Gabe's Musing's

Tuesday, July 25, 2023

UK accused of underestimating Wagner's growth

A new report says that for 10 years the British government under-estimated the Russian mercenary group.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/twJPA7s
via Gabe's Musing's

Ghana parliament votes to abolish death penalty

There are 176 prisoners on Ghana's death row, but the last execution was 30 years ago.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/9FmwdaQ
via Gabe's Musing's

Cricket World Cup 2023: Zimbabwe revival good for country - Sean Williams

Sean Williams thought cricket in Zimbabwe was "dying", but he is now hoping for "fairytale" ending with 2027 World Cup co-hosts.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/UwWinTQ
via Gabe's Musing's

Preserving African Tradition: The Importance of Oral History

History, as we know it, is a continuum that passes the baton from one generation to another. However, in the broad tapestry of human knowledge, some threads are more delicate than others, demanding a gentler, more intimate approach to preservation. One such thread is African tradition, specifically the oral history passed down through centuries, a treasure trove of cultural knowledge that remains ever relevant today.

Oral history is an intrinsic part of African culture. It has been the medium of passing down societal norms, values, wisdom, and history from one generation to the next long before the advent of written records. In societies across the continent, griots or storytellers played—and continue to play—an essential role in keeping the community's collective memory alive.

The role of oral history in preserving African tradition can never be overstated. It serves as a bridge linking the past to the present, connecting us with our ancestors through the power of the spoken word. The stories passed down orally reveal an intricate web of relationships, capturing the human spirit's resilience, wisdom, struggles, and triumphs.

However, with the spread of modernization and the advent of digital media, the value of oral tradition is increasingly being eclipsed. Yet, the need to preserve and promote these oral histories is greater than ever. These narratives offer rich insights into our collective human experience, providing a diversity of perspectives that enriches the global cultural tapestry.

In response, initiatives worldwide are harnessing the power of technology to archive and share these narratives, ensuring their preservation for future generations. These projects leverage digital tools to record, transcribe, and make available these invaluable resources, offering a lifeline to oral traditions on the brink of oblivion.

As individuals and as a society, we must recognize the value of oral history, embrace it, and seek ways to support its preservation. Our shared human heritage is vast and diverse; let's not allow the threads of oral tradition to be lost in the loom.

Wagner in Mali: US sanctions top junta officials over alleged ties

Wagner fighters overseeing Malian troops are accused of targeting civilians and other rights abuses.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/GIxB6yp
via Gabe's Musing's

Modern slavery gangmasters exploit care worker shortage

A victim paid just £2 an hour describes her ordeal as investigators make the care industry a "top priority".

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/AMJqPu3
via Gabe's Musing's

Monday, July 24, 2023

Ghana minister Cecilia Abena Dapaah reported a robbery. Why was she arrested?

A Ghanaian minister allegedly lost $1m cash, handbags and jewels from her house.

from BBC News - Africa https://ift.tt/tIbAzTo
via Gabe's Musing's