Something of an anticlimax
For grounded and textured analysis of the death of Nigeria's President Umaru Yar’adua, it is worth consulting Nigeria’s vibrant media landscape, rather than Western media.
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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.
Inter Africa
If the metric is how many African players are on the pitch, then your team in the 2010 UEFA Champions League final is Inter Milan.
Testing Negative and Other Stories
Here for your reading list: 10 things I have read quickly, seen or watched, listened to, been forwarded, did not really have the time to think about properly.
Rankin does South Africa
British fashion photographer Rankin sets out on 'his own personal journey' to understand South Africa. The result is actually quite good.
The First Afrikaners
The first group of people who called themselves Afrikaners were Orlams people, who would be called coloured in South Africa today.
Toto meets Mango Groove
FIFA and the South African organizers of the World Cup have unveiled the 2010 World Cup "official" song: It's a rip-off of a Cameroonian military song.
Have a Coke and Smile
Coca-Cola’s ad trivializes Cameroon’s 1990 World Cup breakthrough, ignoring its transformative global impact.
Political Economy
Political scientist Adolph Reed Jr. — whom I first met in 1995 and often joke is “always right” — on what political economy means for cultural studies.
Sleeping Dogs
The poetry of Ronelda Kamfer sheds light on the still marginalized lives of South Africa’s “brown communities.”
Africa’s World Cup
Binyavanga Wainaina and Teju Cole are among those on a panel discussing the historic 2010 World Cup to be held in South Africa; the first time on the continent.
The Final Countdown
For those doubting South African can host a successful World Cup, the country has a long history of successfully hosting big tournaments.
Six million dollar paintings
Things I missed or could not give proper attention this week, including artist Marlene Dumas keeping a blacklist barring those who resell her works too quickly from purchasing additional pieces.
Truth and Reconciliation
The contrast between Argentina, where military officials from the dictatorship are still jailed for crimes, while in South Africa apartheid's leaders received amnesty, pensions, and privilege.
The Worlds of Tyler Perry
There's little depth in Tyler Perry’s films or characters, and he may not serve Black community, but his financial success and large Black working-class following is undeniable.
The Tribeca Film Festival
Previewing film festivals in the United States and their African offerings is exhausting: there’s little to excite, or the same familiar tropes and themes repeat.
Apartheid is a museum that no one visits
How much do young South Africans, especially college students, know about their history? Not much, if these videos are any indication.