Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the captcha-bank domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home1/c306474/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131
Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the email-users domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home1/c306474/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131
Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /home1/c306474/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131 Issues Archives - Page 54 of 64 - TalkAfrique Deprecated: Function WP_Dependencies->add_data() was called with an argument that is deprecated since version 6.9.0! IE conditional comments are ignored by all supported browsers. in /home1/c306474/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131
Deprecated: Function WP_Dependencies->add_data() was called with an argument that is deprecated since version 6.9.0! IE conditional comments are ignored by all supported browsers. in /home1/c306474/public_html/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6131
A category focusing on the issues that plaque that African continent. All you need to know about poverty, malaria, HIV/AID, african stereotypes, africans struggle in the west, bad leadership at home
The gift ideas presented here were selected by our experts for you. Follow the links from talkafrique.com to purchase these or any other items on Amazon and help us reach more people. Thank you for your support
10 Days in Africa : A Geography Game for Families, Excellent for Birthdays, All Occasions
Victoria Fynn, Colorado Springs, for TalkAfrique
Most Americans and westerners in general, get a little nervous the first time they have to travel outside their countries. Moreover, if the destination is Africa, then it becomes even more distressful. These days, with social media and technology, it does not need to be a stressful experience. Most people don’t realize that for a mere 30 minute review of the geography of Africa, the adventure can be fun rather than a worry.
Last Christmas my family was given a game called 10 Days in Africa by friends at church. I was amazed how much you can know about Africans and African geography while in the comfort of you couch. The game is designed to have you traveling through Africa. It’s great for both family use and classroom as long as you can have at least 2-4 players.
The core of the game is a board map of Africa, 45 destination tiles representing African countries (Africa actually has 54 countries. I realized they did not consider some of the smaller African countries), 15 transportation tiles and four 10-day card holders.
To cut a simple story short, within one week of having ‘10 Days in Africa’ in our house, my 11-year old son had learnt the locations of 30 African countries on the map. I was proud that he could point to Botswana, Ghana, Eritrea and others with no prompts. It’s an excellent way to learn the geography of Africa. The game is well-built, with no small pieces to lose. Of course you have to be careful with the cards, but they are thick enough that you cannot easily lose them. The game is also very easy to learn, so the boy can easily pull it out and play with his friends when they come over.
For about $16 for a game that is suitable for all ages is just unbeatable. You can set the level of difficulty for different age players. For older players, it recommended that you increase the difficulty when playing with only 2 players.
If you need gift idea for a holiday, this geography game will surely pull if of.
The rate at which Rwanda, seem to have achieved social reconciliation after the gory internecine conflict, some prefer to call it “holocaust” that rocked the small central African country almost 17yrs ago is both baffling and encouraging.
This was a nation that literarily went on a self annihilating journey that sent shivers down the spine of all decent people the world over. Somewhere in April 1994, the entire landscape and rivers of Rwanda was riddled with bloated corpses as Hutu extremists went after Tutsi and Hutu moderates. It is hard to imagine that man could exhibit such level of bestiality to fellow man, all as a result of primordial sentiments. Over 1million people lost their lives in that unfortunate episode, the Rwandan genocide.
17yrs later, the scenario has changed so tremendously that unless one was told of the gory events that took place, it is hard to believe that the streets of Kigali were once littered with innumerable corpses and blood.
The recently concluded U17 African Soccer tournament organized in Rwanda, indeed brought out the best in Rwanda, as all Rwandans united behind their country and junior national soccer team. They also proved to be a worthy host during the course of the tournament.
The Paul Kagame leadership in Rwanda should be commended for achieving this level of social transformation within a short time. The world should also come together to say NEVER AGAIN to such human perfidy witnessed in Rwanda in 1994, and any where in the world.
The African is always left in the dark whiles decisions pertaining to his or her well being are taken by unknown forces. We are then forced to accept because the interest of our leaders has already been secured. I feel no less for my fellow Africans because I am also a victim of the unjustifiable rule or governance we are experiencing these days. Many at times I think and ask why this transpires in this era and I am not made better by this because less and less will my efforts be when I strive for the best.
Recent developments, I think, are a must because the ordinary citizen must realize the politician in whose arms he has devoted his well being. African leaders have for a long time taken Africans for granted and have rather improved their well being and assets. This has been the situation for a long time and it took the courage of just one individual to tell the masses that their lives were being toiled with by these politicians.
I stand to salute this great hero because I do believe in equality and justice for all and this is exactly what the young man proved. I foresee a day when Africa will rise and demand for her fair share of the national cake and the Tunisian uprising has turned the clock towards that direction, and when that day comes, I believe nothing will stop the masses.
This is an opportunity for the governments of African states to be responsive to the aspirations of the African, yet I see no sign of that. They rather put in forces to halt the voices of the masses. Egyptians have spelt out their plight but the best Mr. Mubarak can do is to put bans on protests and gatherings. This can’t stop them from crying out; it won’t keep them from shouting. The dawn of African revolution is about to begin and I advice African leaders to pay heed to the cries of the citizens because we are the voice of God.
“I was shocked when the results came back positive”
That was a quote from an interview with Elizabeth Matambanadzo, 18, from Zimbabwe, who is living with HIV. My hope is that, this will help all of us to become more accepting of people living with the HIV condition.
In most of our societies, it is commonly assumed that the person living with HIV or AIDS is just paying the price for his or her promiscuous lifestyle. The truth is there millions of people living with HIV for no fault of theirs. And there are millions more who have HIV for doing the same thing you and I do daily. Is it not time that we accept them as people and not just as ‘deserving patients ”?
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki Moon once said:
“Stigma remains the single most important barrier to public action. It is a main reason why too many people are afraid to see a doctor to determine whether they have the disease, or to seek treatment if so. It helps make AIDS the silent killer, because people fear the social disgrace of speaking about it, or taking easily available precautions. Stigma is a chief reason why the AIDS epidemic continues to devastate societies around the world.”
Let Elizabeth continue:
“My mother passed away when I was five and my father when I was 10. I have been staying with my grandmother since then. I tested HIV positive in 2008 when I was 16 after being sick for a long time. I developed sores all over my body that wouldn’t heal even after taking medicine. My grandmother and I were always in and out of hospital. I missed a lot of school. At first doctors thought I had diabetes since the sores were not healing.
“After the diabetes test came back negative the doctor recommended an HIV test. At first my grandmother was against the idea but after some time she agreed. I was shocked when the result came back positive because I had never had sex. My grandmother cried too, she was very sad but the doctor explained that I may have been born HIV positive. I was very angry and blamed my parents for giving me this disease. I was immediately put on antiretroviral drugs [ARVs] and my sores healed… I feel very strong and healthy… all I want is to continue helping other people affected and infected by HIV/AIDS in my community.”
It is as difficult to fight the stigma and stereotypes associated as it is to fight the virus. I plan to write on the evil of stigmatization and its social consequences soon. Please check back
A report from a study vividly describes politically motivated sexual violence against women in Zimbabwe. The violence against the women takes many forms including
extreme violence,
gang rape and
insertion of objects (bottles and sticks) into the vagina.
The aim of the study was to provide a valid and reliable description of cases of politically motivated rape and other violence against women in the African country. It is the first vivid description to come out of Zimbabwe detailing instances of politically motivated rape
Rape Camps in Zimbabwe
Over three-quarters of the women studied were victims of multiple rape, with an average of three rapists per incident. One woman reported a total of 13 perpetrators, and 14 women reported 3 or more perpetrators to their rape. One woman reported 3 separate rape incidences in June 2008 by a total of 13 perpetrators.
Women in the study exhibited high levels of sleeplessness, nightmares, flashbacks, and hopelessness. A third of the women reported these symptoms, which are commonly associated with experiences of trauma. For some, flashbacks are triggered by large gatherings, particularly where political slogans were being chanted while others had recurring nightmares during which they relived the rapes. Traumatic memories may continue for extended periods of time.
The ongoing voter registration in Nigeria is in progress after much anticipation. However, just like anything organized by the Nigerian government the exercise has proceeded with much tardiness.
There is a genuine fear that, at the pace which the voter registration exercise is being conducted, many Nigerians of voting age could be disenfranchised. The problems that are plaguing the ongoing exercise range from the sublime to the ridiculous. Excuses such as incompetence of the college/university graduate interns appointed by the electoral body to carry out the exercise, faulty Direct Data Capturing (DDC) machines, greasy and dirty finger prints of potential voters that makes capturing of bio data almost impossible, power problems, and the list is endless.
These have brought about a situation where a voting registration unit is only able to register just between five (5) to ten (10) people. In a country of over 140 million people, with close to 50% of the population of voting age, when and how do the Nigeria electoral authorities hope to get Nigerians of voting age properly registered? At the rate the campaign is progressing, it is very doubtful we will get there.
We will continue to ask why Nigeria never seem to get things right even after huge resources are expended. The Nigeria electoral authorities and the Nigerian government had almost 4 years, beginning from the last general election, to prepare for this exercise. Can we explain why we are in the present state of affairs?
A research carried out by a hospital in Vancouver, Canada, showed that obese children carry a greater risk of developing atherosclerosis. And this precursor of cardiovascular accidents and early mortality is usually seen in people in their 50s.
The Researchers conducted a study on children with average of 13. They measured the blood pressure, blood lipid levels and body mass index (BMI) of 63 obese children and 55 youngsters of normal size and weight.
At the early age of 13, the researchers identified deterioration in the elasticity of the arteries in the obese children.
This is an distressing result. These, it is an increasing phenomenon for young kids to stayed glued to computers and video games instead of engaging in physical activity. Such sedentary lifestyle is a precursor for child obesity and obesity later in life.
Child obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. The prevalence of child obesity among children aged 6 to 11 years increased from 6.5% in 1980 to 19.6% in 2008. The prevalence of obesity among adolescents aged 12 to 19 years increased from 5.0% to 18.1%.
Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases.
In the mid-1990s, as the use of mobile phones spread in much of the developed world, few thought of Africa as a potential market. Now, with more than 400 million subscribers, its market is larger than North America’s and is growing faster than in any other region.
A similar story now seems again to be unfolding as Africans use their cell phones to connect to “social media” ─ Internet services like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube ─ that allow people to interact with each other directly. In the process, they are joining what may be the next global trend: a shift to mobile Internet use, with social media as its main driver. According to Mary Meeker, an influential Internet analyst, mobile Internet and social media are the fastest growing areas of the technology industry worldwide, and she predicts that wireless telephones use will soon overtake computers as the primary Internet device.
Africa is pushing both developments. Studies suggest that when Africans go online (predominantly with their mobile phones), they spend much of their time on social media sites. In recent months, Facebook ─ the major social media platform worldwide and currently the most visited website in most of Africa ─ has seen a massive growth on the continent. The number of Facebook users now stands at over 17 million, up from just10 million in 2009. More than 15 per cent of people online in Africa are currently using the platform, compare to 11 per cent in Asia. Two other social networking websites, Twitter and YouTube, rank among the most visited websites in most African countries.
African sports, music and film stars, political leaders and companies have joined the global conversation. The Facebook fan base of Ivorian football star and UN goodwill ambassador Didier Drogba is approaching 1 million. Zambian author and economist Dambisa Moyo has more than 26,000 followers on Twitter. Companies such as Kenya Airways and media organizations in South Africa are using various social media platforms to interact better with customers and readers. During recent elections in Côte d’Ivoire, candidates not only toured the cities and villages; they also moved the contest online, posting campaign updates on Twitter and Facebook.
Constraints and opportunities
Africa’s embrace of social media is even more striking given the low number of Africans using the Internet and the many hurdles they face trying to go online.
Africa’s 100 million Internet users make the continent the region in the world with the lowest penetration rate and a tiny minority of the 2 billion people online around the world. Among the many reasons for this poor showing are the scarcity and prohibitive costs of high speed internet connections and the limited number of personal computers in use.
But these challenges simultaneously contribute to the growth in the use of mobile Internet, which in recent years has been the highest in the world. “Triple-digit growth rates are routine across the continent,” notes Jon von Tetzchner, co-founder of Opera, the world’s most popular mobile phone Internet browser. “The widespread availability of mobile phones means that the mobile web can reach tens of millions more than the wired web.” As with the rapid growth in use of mobile phones in Africa in recent years, Mr. Tetzchner believes that the “mobile web is beginning to reshape the economic, political and social development of the continent.”
‘Seismic shift’ coming
Erik Hersman, a prominent African social media blogger and entrepreneur is equally enthusiastic. In an e-mail to Africa Renewal, he notes that “with mobile phone penetration already high across the continent, and as we get to critical mass with Internet usage in some of Africa’s leading countries (Kenya, South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Egypt) … a seismic shift will happen with services, products and information.”
These growth rates are persuading major companies to invest in reaching Africa’s expanding pool of Internet users. Facebook, after launching versions in some of the major African languages, including Swahili, Hausa and Zulu in May, has announced it will offer free access to its platform to mobile phone users in many parts of Africa. In October Google started testing a new service for Swahili speakers in East and Central Africa. Tentatively called “Baraza” (“meeting place” in Swahili), it will allows people to interact and share knowledge by asking and answering questions, many of them of only very local or regional interest.
Africans are also cashing in on the local market. In South Africa, MXit, a free instant messaging application with an estimated 7 million users, is the most popular local social networking service. From Accra and Abidjan to Lusaka and Nairobi, African programmers are designing and launching new home-grown platforms and tools that will keep the African online conversation going and growing in the years ahead.
André-Michel Essoungou is a writer for UN Africa Renewal magazine based in New York City
