How to subvert the Hollywood Western
An interview with the South African director and writer of ‘Five Fingers for Marseilles,’ a Western set in that country, and starring an all black cast.
6445 Article(s) by:
Ladan Osman
Ladan Osman is the author of Exiles of Eden (2019) and The Kitchen-Dweller’s Testimony (2015). She lives in Brooklyn.
This film was not made to be shown in Egypt
The Nile Hotel Incident chronicles a brutal murder and cover-up, framed against the backdrop of the outbreak of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution.
The New South Africa’s original ’State Capture’
The elite compromise of the early 1990s emphatically excluded the possibility of a comprehensive redistribution policy.
When Tiffany Haddish visited her father’s country, Eritrea
The comedian Tiffany Haddish has been hailed by Vanity Fair as “the funniest person alive right now”...
Hugh Masekela’s musical modernism
Masekela wanted to craft a sound that avoided “world music” caricature while not simply mimicking the American Bebop he was so enamored of.
Two Salafi Clerics Visit London
Their decision to wear “western clothes” in public, spark debate on modernity and morality in Northern Nigeria.
A Lion Among Men
In praise of the late Keorapetse Kgositsile, who became South Africa’s national poet laureate in 2006.
Davos Blues
Through poor judgement, poor oversight, and negligence the IFC, the private investment arm of the World Bank, too often appears to be doing more harm than good.
Future so bright
All things equal, we should have a new website within the next couple of weeks.
Asante Sana: The soundtrack to revolution
The writer, a student in New York City, on the emotional experience of living the Zimbabwe #NotCoup in real time online and away from home.
Cuba and the Black Pacific
A deeper look at the contemporary Cuban Hip Hop scene with Luna Olavarria Gallegos, one of the producers of the Afro Razones project.
George Weah’s biggest goal
Weah is poised to become Liberia’s next president. What will a Weah administration look like, and how will he govern?
Thomas Sankara’s Star
Sankara’s enduring popularity rests not only on his words, however much they resonate with today’s disenchanted and angry youth. It is also based on his deeds.
The Dutch disease (and its prescription)
Even in spite of a recent history of reactionary backlash, the movement against #ZwartePiet (Black Pete) has had some success.
The Cyril Ramaphosa model
The election Monday night of Cyril Ramaphosa as president of South Africa’s ruling African National Congress...
The short life and times of Mamadou Saliou
For many young Africans, going abroad is seen as the only solution to help their parents struggling to make ends meet.
The New Testament
Much of black youth culture in South Africa celebrates constant self-invention, and is built on the gospel of entrepreneurship.
The Return of Muammar Gaddafi
Nostalgia for Gaddafi reflects a depressing understanding of African politics which rules that a dictator is better than a chaotic political void.
The wanderers from Niger
Nigerien band Anewal eschews explicit politics and sings mostly of harmony and brotherhood.
How not to talk about corruption in South Africa
How media and anti-corruption campaigns reinforces, or fail to adequately address, racialized and ahistorical accounts of corruption as a problem in South Africa.