The Hall of Shame
We couldn't resist including a post with some of the lowlights of 2011.
Journalism
Helen Zille’s ‘AIDS Gestapo’
The leader of the opposition Democratic Alliance makes offensive remarks about AIDS, then smears her critics, AIDS activists and journalists, as Nazis.
Swazi Bull
Politics, repression, religion, exile, tradition and mysticism in Swaziland, Southern Africa's last absolute monarchy.
The Economist’s “Africa”
The Economist changed its verdict from "Hopeless Africa" to "Africa Rising" in eleven years. But few care about the latest verdict.
Pizza Aid
What happens when humanitarian agencies ditch the tried-and-trusted fundraising method of splashing disaster porn across screens and news pages?
Parachute Journalism
Blind clichés, projections and stereotypes masquerading as analysis in Foreign Policy by Karen Leigh, Time Magazine’s correspondent for West Africa.
Of blood, tears, ink and screen
The birth of a promising publication, WARSCAPES. Let’s support and wish them long life.
Malema Time
South African elites and their political parties and trade unions cannot claim to represent the masses anymore. This has created space for Julius Malema's brand of populist politics.
Take me to your leader: Babatunde Fashola
The Governor of Lagos has larger ambitions than just governing Nigeria's and probably Africa's most vibrant megacity.
Chris Martin’s Brain
Coldplay’s “Paradise” music video is set in South Africa. The video is mostly is an antiquated perception of the country held by many in the West.
Gaddafi’s white African mercenaries
Muammar Gaddafi relied extensively on mercenaries from elsewhere in Africa to secure his rule. It is usually assumed they're black Africans. It turns out a lot of them come from South Africa. And they're white.
The Assault on Patriarchy in Tunisia
Women participated in all parties, and prominently so, including the party of the undecided and the party of those boycotting the election.