New African articles from December 2003

New African archives from December 2003

'A must read for all African leaders'.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I think your magazine is an ongoing tribute to black history with every monthly publication. There are so many great articles in the October 2003 issue that I found it difficult to comment on just one. Stella Orakwue's article, What Is...

The hidden facts.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I shall begin by thanking the New African team for the wonderful work they are doing in creating awareness and educating the African masses about the hidden facts concerning our continent. If your magazine has not succeeded in changing the...

A stranger in Windhoek.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I am writing in reaction to Baffour Beefs (NA, Nov). Well, 1, a white German, was a stranger too in Windhoek this year. But I didn't feel half as proud as Baffour was, though. Windhoek in the evening: no music, no dancing in the streets, no...

Sankoh's death not untimely.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... According to your correspondent, Ebow Godwin (NA, Nov): "The news of the untimely death of the former RUF rebel leader, Foday Saybana Sankoh... hit me like a bolt of thunder." So what is "untimely" about Foday Sankoh's death? Is it that...

Correction.(Correction Notice)
December 1, 2003... On page 65 of the October issue, the caption of the photo read that the person in the picture was Kenya's trade minister Mr George Odipo. It has come to our attention that the gentleman refereed to in the picture is neither the trade minister...

The plight of the 'lost tribe'.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... Thank you for the great work on your October cover story regarding the "Untouchables" in India. I lived in India for spiritual sessions as a wanderer monk, and most of this time, I lived near the "Untouchables". I saw how they were and are...

Wrong about anthropologists.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I am a Swedish reader of your fine magazine. For many years I have had a great interest for Africa, its peoples, cultures and nature. This interest has led me to study a lot of African-related subjects at Swedish universities. As an...

Zambia: cost of war on corruption bites.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I commend President Levy Mwanawsa's fight against corruption in high places. But I feel at the same time that he should sort out the plight of the civil service. For almost a year now, time government has spent millions of kwacha...

Investigate murder of Africans in Europe.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... I was taken aback by your story on the Mauritanian, Chei Bani Wague, who was allegedly brutalised to death by the Austrian police--all of which was videotaped (NA Oct). Although I have never been to Austria, I have read several cases about...

NEPAD--a white elephant?(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... The New Partnership for African Development (NEPAD) which is meant to focus on increasing capital inflow into Africa is founded on economic policies inclined towards Western multilateral institutions who ignore the real causes of the problems...

America must be fair.(Letters)(Letter to the Editor)
December 1, 2003... A lot has been said and written about America's uneven-handed policy in the Middle East. Many agree that America is prepared to support its "spoiled ally" Israel, no matter what. It is distressful to hear that Palestinian women and children are...

The black man's burden.(Baffour's Beefs)
December 1, 2003... "From... what I personally saw on the ground in Zimbabwe, I believe that the time is now auspicious to lift the sancti0ns on Zimbabwe with regard to her suspension from the Commonwealth councils. This will represent an appropriate development...

How to love a black man: Genstacia Bull on Dr Ronn Elmore's practical book on relationships. There is something in it for everyone--both the "Brovas" and "Sistas".(Book Review)
December 1, 2003... This book is a must for every woman who is in a relationship or plans to embark on one. Dr Ron Elmore brings a balance between the two extreme views that a black man is a deity to be worshipped or is a useless, good for nothing that uses or...

The new scramble for Africa: biopiracy: Africa is losing billions of dollars through the filching of the continent's biodiversity by powerful Western companies and individuals. Here, we unearth how the stealing from Africa of centuries old indigenous knowledge of local resources (plants, herbs, seeds, livestock germ, etc), is increasingly becoming the new scramble for Africa.(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... Biopiracy: Africa is losing billions of dollars through the filching of the continent's biodiversity by powerful Western companies and individuals. Here, we unearth how the stealing from Africa of centuries old indigenous knowledge of local...

Biopiracy: Neem, the wonder tree: a classic example of biopiracy from which Africa has a lot to learn is the blatant pirating of the Neem tree, dubbed by the UN as the "tree of the 21st century".(Cover Story)
December 1, 2003... In India, over 70 patents have already been taken out by Western (mainly American) corporations from the Neem tree whose wide-ranging medicinal and environmental properties have been used, at no cost, by indigenous people for over 4,000 years....

Nigeria: we won't be intimidated: Nigeria is set on a collision course with the US over the former Liberian president, Charles Taylor's asylum in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nigeria says it is safe enough to host the Commonwealth Heads of Commonwealth Meeting in Abuja from 5-8 December.(Around Africa)
December 1, 2003... Nigeria is set on a collision course with the US over the former Liberian president, Charles Taylor's asylum in Nigeria. Meanwhile, Nigeria says it is safe enough to host the Commonwealth Heads of Commonwealth Meeting in Abuja from 5-8...

Kenya: No place for unethical judges: President Mwai Kibaki's war on corruption is catching some big fish, this time from the judiciary.(Around Africa)
December 1, 2003... Following a four-month investigation by Justice Aaron Ringera, 23 judges and 82 magistrates, including some of the best known and most senior in the country, have been suspended for corruption and other offences. Listed on what has been...

Africa/ICC: Ghana bends the knee to USA: a furious debate has erupted in Ghana over the government's decision not to surrender American citizens for trial at the International Criminal Court (ICC).(Around Africa)
December 1, 2003... Ghana, once the champion of African resistance, has thrown its illustrious history out the window and signed an immunity agreement with the USA that prevents Accra from handing over indicted American citizens for trial at the International...

South Africa: Agent 452 turns up: there has been a dramatic twist in the fight between the deputy president, Jacob Zuma, and the national director of public prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka--the spy in their saga has turned up.(Around Africa)
December 1, 2003... There has been a dramatic twist in the fight between the deputy president, Jacob Zuma (above), and the national director of public prosecutions, Bulelani Ngcuka--the spy in their saga has turned up. Vannessa Brereton, a 48-year-old white...

Zambia: whence salvation? Political tensions remain and President Mwanawasa's popularity has hit a low ebb. A national conference he called last month has not helped matters either.(Around Africa)
December 1, 2003... In an attempt to lessen the political tensions in the country and woo acceptability for his administration, President Levy Mwanawasa called a four-day national conference in October, but it was roundly boycotted by all who matter in Zambian...

Lesotho: no business as usual: eighteen foreign companies who bribed local officials are facing the music in Lesotho, and the noose is getting tighter for others.(Around Africa)
December 1, 2003... Lesotho, the small mountain kingdom in Southern Africa, is setting a powerful example for all Africa to follow by pressing on with the prosecution of 18 foreign companies accused of paying bribes to officials of the Lesotho Highlands Water...

Who says Africa is independent?(The Debate)
December 1, 2003... This is the second part of our debate on African independence in which our readers have been invited to comment on whether or not Africa is independent and offer the way out. Do we have a mere flag-and-anthem independence or an independence...

Nigerians are up and going: visiting Nigeria again after a 10-year absence, I am fascinated with the changes. Abuja has grown enormously since I last saw it. Traffic jams are gradually taking on Lagos' dimensions. And buildings, huge ones, are going up all the time.(Under the Neem Tree)
December 1, 2003... Visiting Nigeria again after a 10-year absence, I am fascinated with the changes. Abuja has grown enormously since I last saw it. Traffic jams are gradually taking on Lagos' dimensions. And buildings, huge ones, are going up all the time. ...

Kenya: the Hola massacre: on 3 March 1959, 11 Kenyas were bludgeoned to death and many more were maimed by British colonial forces at a camp in Hola in the East Coast province. President Mwai Kibaki's government has now cleared the way for the British government to be sued for reparations. Wanjohi Kabukuru traces the systematic torture that was the hallmakr of British rule during the Mau Mau years.(The Debate)
December 1, 2003... On 3 March 1959, 11 Kenyans were bludgeoned to death and many more were maimed by British colonial forces at a camp in Hola in the East Coast province. President Mwai Kibaki's government has now cleared the way for the British government to be...

Botswana Sir Seretse, the mould breaker.
December 1, 2003... When the mixed-race couple Wilf and Trish Mbanga married in war-time Rhodesia, cynic whites said it would never last. Twenty-five years later, memories of those days are at the heart of what the Mbangas are planning to do in Holland-to write a...

Solar energy made simple.
December 1, 2003... This is the second part of our major series on solar energy which we began in the July issue. Africa gets 365 days of glorious sunshine a year, and yet the majority of our people (at least 85% or so) who live in rural areas have no electricity....

We have to take action: if the West is not going to allow us to "trade" fairly and equally, if they refuse to allow the competition that will enable us to develop our economies and our lives, then we need to stop buying Western goods.(Not in Black or White)
December 1, 2003... If the West is not going to allow us to "trade" fairly and equally, if they refuse to allow the competition that will enable us to develop our economies and our lives, then we need to stop buying Western goods. Hey there, Mr Preacherman,...

Zimbabwe: if only Bush will look the facts in the face: in early October, President George Bush told African journalists in Washington that he would not rest until there was a change of government in Zimbabwe. He does not like the state of the Zimbabwean economy and will continue to put pressure on neighboring states for a "regime change" in Harare.(NA Market)
December 1, 2003... In early October, President George Bush told African journalists in Washington that he would not rest until there was a change of government in Zimbabwe. He does not like the state of the Zimbabwean economy and will continue to put pressure on...

A people without memory are in danger of losing their soul: this year's Steve Biko Memorial Lecture (the fourth in the series) was delivered by the Kenyan professor, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, at the University of Cape Town. Here is an abridged version of his thought provoking paper on "Consciousness and African Renaissance: South Africa in the Black Imagination:.(Special Feature)
December 1, 2003... This year's Steve Biko Memorial Lecture (the fourth in the series) was delivered by the Kenyan professor, Ngugi wa Thiong'o, at the University of Cape Town. Here is an abridged version of his thought provoking paper on "Consciousness and...

Tanzania solving the identity crisis: fed up with Western-style suits, the government of Tanzania is organising a competition for a national dress. Tsh54m has been set aside as prizes for competitors at local, district and national levels.(Special Feature)
December 1, 2003... Fed up with Western-style suits, the government of Tanzania is organising a competition for a national dress. Tsh54m has been set aside as prizes for competitors at local, district and national levels. Tanzania is searching for a national...

Blind eyes are not blind minds: blind people usually experience dejection and stereotyping. But what is not often considered is the psychological impact of blindness--the despair and the dependence on others. Donald Gwira wants the world to bridge the gap between the blind and the sighted.(Special Feature)
December 1, 2003... Blind people usually experience dejection and stereotyping. But what is not often considered is the psychological impact of blindness-the despair and the dependence on others. Donald Gwira wants the world to bridge the gap between the blind and...

'My mum comes from Africa, but I'm British': Andrew Togobo on the identity crisis facing the Africans born in Britain. "In Ghana we are taught that your parents hometown is your hometown. I found it odd coming here and people were telling me they were from England, and their parents were from somewhere else.".(Diaspora)
December 1, 2003... Andrew Togobo on the identity crisis facing the Africans born in Britain. "In Ghana we are taught that your parents hometown is your hometown. I found it odd coming here and people were telling me they were from England, and their parents were...

USA black power loses political base: the numbers' game started 20 years ago when the US government coined the term "Hispanic" to describe that part of its citizenry whose origins could be traced to Spanish-speaking countries. The leaders of Black America were sleeping. Today the Hispanics have officially dethroned blacks (and the prvileges thereof) as the largest minority groun in the country.(Diaspora)
December 1, 2003... The numbers' game started 20 years ago when the US government coined the term "Hispanic" to describe that part of its citizenry whose origins could be traced to Spanish-speaking countries, The leaders of Black America were sleeping, Today the...

Uganda: in defence of Milton Obote: Bob Astles, a Briton who served both President Milton Obote and Idi Amin says Obote did not ruin Uganda as claimed by President Museveni in his article. Why Africa Is Lagging Behind (NA, Nov). Rather he says, "history will record that an architect of the Ugandan problems, very much in evidence today, is Museveni himself.".(Endtail)
December 1, 2003... Bob Astles, a Briton who served both President Milton Obote and Idi Amin says Obote did not ruin Uganda as claimed by President Museveni in his article, Why Africa Is Lagging Behind (NA, Nov). Rather he says, "history will record that an...