An anthropological mood board
For the next month we'll be bombarded with commercials riffing of the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. There'll be lots of "African" themes.
Culture
After the Bulldozers
Recommended: a short film about the fate of 10,000 residents displaced after a thriving market in Lagos, Nigeria.
Introducing our new series: Africa on Film
Over the next few months, Allison Swank will commence a new weekly series on popular (and not-so-popular) films in the United States 'about' Africa.
Rihanna: Back in Blackface?
In the music video for her latest single, "Rockstar 101," singer Rihanna appears in what looks like blackface.
The Encyclopedia of South Africa
One of the first authoritative, comprehensive reference work covering South Africa’s history, politics, law, society and culture, economy, environment - in one place.
Keep Africa Alive
Should our contributor Sonja Sugira, usually a harsh critic of humanitarianism, cut Bono's RED campaign some slack?
Bono Gets Something Right
Has Bono made what is the best TV (you can also watch it on Youtube) commercial in the history of the World Cup?
Renunciation and redemption
The deadly serious games of J M Coetzee's novel about the transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa, 'Disgrace.'
Make the Circle Bigger
Is this playful ode to coloured identity in South Africa the unofficial 2010 World Cup anthem for the locals?
Flavor of the Month
The UK Observer, despite its best attempts, does not have its finger on the pulse of the South African literary scene. The World Cup didn't help.
African Hospitality
The artist Andrew Putter make use of the past to construct images of how we might live together in the future.
Bok van Blerk’s Darkest Africa
Bok van Blerk's new music video mines familiar racist tropes of starving, diseased children in a war-torn African country saved by a blonde heroine and her white male companion.
Viral Culture: Matt’s dance
A brand of football trickery and showmanship have only reaped bad results on the field for South African teams, but is also a great dance.
Didier Drogba Has a Beer Named for Him
There's a lot of hype around Didier Drogba, including that he stopped a civil war in Cote d'Ivoire. How much truth is there to that story?
Hugh Masekela Goes to the World Cup
Hugh Masekela and his son, Sal, together explore the people, culture, landscapes and history of South Africa.
When you’re from Africa. Like Africa Africa.
When the dance pop of London-based The Very Best, with one African member (the other two are French and Swedish) is described as very African.
Boers and Bantus
Vintage clips, from 1961, of Nelson Mandela, ZK Matthews, Helen Joseph, among others, on a Dutch TV program talking liberation from white supremacy.
The Rape of Africa
Celebrity photographer David LaChapelle chose Naomi Campbell to represent how Africa is raped for its resources. Did it work?
America? Begging in Nigeria!
A white woman begging in Lagos's popular Mushin Market. Turns out it is a performance piece.