Africa blogging roundup 17th June 2008
Kameelah Writes
Kameelah Writes points to the Chimurenga Library, “curated by contributors to the African cultural and literary magazine, Chimurenga – www.chimurenga.org [You know the one you love to read but never know what the heck they are talking about – OK maybe YOU do, but I’m honest and for all but the odd “piece” haven’t a clue]
“The aim of the Chimurenga Library is not to produce a comprehensive bibliography of periodicals published in Africa; our approach is purely subjective. These are simply objects we read and admire, and which have in one form or another, influenced publishing and editorial choices at Chimurenga.
Some of these periodicals are deep in the postcolonial canon, others smaller and obscure, virtual even. All these projects built on the work of Drum, Presence Africaine, Transition, Black Orpheus and so on but are also alternatives to those monuments. It’s a sort of archipelago of counter-culture platforms that impacted on our concept of the paper-periodical, the publishable even.”
Whilst you are at Kameelah’s blog, take the time to enjoy a photographic experience on her flickr site @ http://www.flickr.com/photos/foojoygreentea/
African Loft
http://www.africanloft.com/mbilia-bel-the-first-transcontinental-african-diva/
African Loft introduces Mbilia Bel, the “Queen of Rumba and musical diva from Congo. For those with reasonable broadband you can watch a short video from YouTube....
“Mbilia joined Tabu Ley in 1981 and definitely brought in the Mbilia Bel flavor and therefore turning Tabu Ley concerts (who was a success in his own right) into a must attend one for many Africans. Her popularity with Tabu Ley helped when she decided to embark on a solo career in 1987. This decision was born out of Tabu Ley’s choice to recruit Faya Tess who was another female artist. After she left the group, Tabu Ley sold fewer albums and accumulated less awards. Mbilia Bel became the most famous member of Tabu Ley’s group. Her most recent cd is called Bellisimo. I think it is her best cd so far.”
Nigerian Curiosity
http://www.nigeriancuriosity.com/2008/06/rewriting-abachas-history.html
Nigerian Curiosity comments on the recent statements by previous Nigerian military dictators on the anniversary of the death of General Sani Abacha, claiming he never looted the Nigerian treasury.
BUHARI & IBB ON ABACHA’S LOOTING HISTORY
“So, as I read statements from former dictators General Buhari and Ibrahim Babangida, I realized that I would have to spend some time pulling up some facts that would contradict their statements. Particularly, their comments regarding Abacha and stolen Nigerian funds. Now, Babangida is quoted as saying,
“...it is not true that he looted public treasury. I knew who Abacha was because I was close to him”
Hmm, like Nigerian Curiosity, I did not know Abacha personally but this goes beyond the realms of fantastic fiction to outrageous ehh “Nigerians must be fools”. Just as the media were discussing the did he, didn’t he steal $millions, the government of Switzerland announced......(and yes, Like NC I am inclined to believe the Swiss government in this instance rather than former fellow Military Dictator Ibrahim Babangida
“A member of the Swiss diplomatic corps assigned to Abuja gave a specific breakdown of looted monies that were returned. The money was returned in instalments and looks as follows -
1. $290 million was transferred on September 1, 2005,
2. $168 million was transferred on December 19, 2005,
3. $40 million transferred at the end of January 2006.
4. $7 million was transferred into a ‘blocked account’ in Nigeria, as the Swiss government could not identify its origin, this money remains in the blocked account.”
Ijebuman’s Diary
http://naijaman.cfmxdeveloper.co.uk/diary/2008/06/finally-godfather-passes-on.html
Ijebuman’s Diary also comments on a Nigerian politician, Mr. Lamidi Adedibu whose death like that of General Sani Abacha, brought people into the streets dancing and cheering
“As expected, Adedibu’s death has elicited widespread jubilation in Ibadan, a city where the late gadfly sharpened and practiced his thuggish brand of politics. One observer told Sahara reporters that people were seen in different parts of the city rejoicing over Mr. Adedibu’s demise.
YA Blogs ZA
http://128.241.192.81/2008/06/reintegration-and-politics-of-death.html
Ya Blogs ZA posts on the announcement by President Mbeki that 24th June will be a national day of mourning for murdered foreigners” in South Africa. He comments on the contradictions between the government’s hollow promises and the realities on the streets....
“However, as many citizens and NGOs pretend a ‘return to normal’, the Treatment Action Campaign (TAC), the eMzantsi Ubuntu Coalition and several other organizations have opposed the nakedly racist motives of the city in forcing traumatized refugees back to townships they fled in fear of their lives. ..............By denying the refugees inner-city shelter, the city and province are actively pursuing apartheid-era policies to divide and rule the desperate, disparate, and disconnected groups of foreigners. Very few community or church halls have been opened in Cape Town’s predominantly white southern suburbs..........Earlier this week, with the assistance of the TAC, several hundred belonging to the ‘Caledon Square Group’ managed to infiltrate and enforce their right to shelter and protection in the Cape Town Civic Centre, a stone’s throw from the ‘Culemborg Group’. “
Black Looks
http://www.blacklooks.org/2008/06/we_are_not_all_like_that_the_monster_bares_its_fangs_.html
Black Looks Andile Mngxitama writes on the recent acts of xenophobic violence in South Africa and provides an excellent analysis of a complex set of events and socioeconomic and political structures that underpins the violence in the townships and shacks of South Africa.
* Sokari Ekine blogs at www.blacklooks.org
* Please send comments to [email protected] or comment online at http://www.pambazuka.org/