Pambazuka News 643: Economies of misery, genetically modified colonialisms and Trayvon
Pambazuka News 643: Economies of misery, genetically modified colonialisms and Trayvon
The US embassy in Accra has been heavily influencing Ghana’s Biosafety Committee. There is nothing safe in entrusting Ghana’s agriculture in the hands of a Committee that remains unknown to the public and who have vested interests in genetically modified colonialism
In order to trace Africa’s progress and potential it is important to look at the issue through the eyes of various African and global leaders from business, civil society, government and economists. It is only after such intense interrogation that one can truly determine where Africa is going and how it is getting there
The African media and AU have paid scant attention to the tragic murder of Travyon Martin in the US. Africans should care about the case because Trayvon could have been any one of the Black African males living in or visiting the US
Belinda Allan, who was a founding Director and Trustee of Fahamu, died in June this year at the age of 77. Belinda was a strong supporter of all the things that Fahamu stands for – social justice and human rights. Victoria Britain, in an obituary in the Guardian Newspaper (14 July 2013), refers to Belinda’s 'early days of Amnesty International, [as a co-founder in] the successful launching of refugee studies as an Oxford University discipline, to years of active support for Palestinians in Gaza, the West Bank and the grim camps in Lebanon’.
Belinda was unassuming in character, but had a strong presence in any audience, partly due to her commanding stature and colourful dress sense. Belinda resigned as a Director and Trustee in 2010, but remained a loyal friend of the charity, such that when Fahamu started to experience difficulties in 2012 and she discovered that her resignation had not been, as presumed, made official, she returned to support the organization, despite the diagnosis of a life threatening illness. During this difficult time she only wanted good news and was cheered whenever she was told about the determination of the staff to ensure the survival of Fahamu. Not all the current Fahamu staff had the chance to meet her, but those who did write about her generosity of spirit and her welcoming home.
Her support is sadly missed by all.
* Dr Patricia Daley is the Chairperson of Fahamu Board.
In his new collection of poems in pidgin English, Agozino invests efforts in eschewing the haughtiness, detachment and pretensions of the ivory tower language in order to better address issues the way they are in Nigeria
He was shot dead as he documented excessive use of force and other human rights violations against demonstrators, in a joint operation of the Kenyan Defense Forces and the police
11 August 2013
A democratic society is defined as a society in which the public has the means to participate in the management of their affairs, information is open and free and participation is safe for everyone.
Recently we had a demonstration in Ext 9 in Grahamstown demanding that the list of beneficiaries for the new RDP houses be made public and people participate in the construction of the low cost houses. To us it was clear that the ruling party is abusing the list for patronage, corruption and elections. Some councillor’s kids are on the list as well as party members and their families.
For this call we were demonized, delegitimized and attacked by the members of the ruling party as opportunists, fronts for other organizations, pawns of white academics and rebels with no cause.
On the 06 August 2013 we convened a meeting at Nombulelo High School and we requested the Mayor to speak on the list. He apologized on behalf of the council, citing the fact that the list was characterized by corruption and irregularities. The Mayor’s admission that the list has been badly corrupted has been prominently covered in Grocott’s Mail.
We have been vindicated and not for the first time. Our adversaries always refuse to engage with us critically. Instead they use slander, class power and at times racist remarks to attack us. All that we are asking is that when we organise and mobilise around an issue we should be engaged on that issue rather than by constantly having our integrity called into question. We may be poor but we are full blown political subjects and that is how we should be engaged.
There’s an outcry all over the country over the corruption of housing lists by the ruling party. We are pleased that we have been able to stop the corruption in Grahamstown and we will continue to organise and mobilise to ensure that the new process is fair and open.
For more information, contact:
Ayanda Kota – 078 625 6462
Gladys Mepo – 060 393 0402
Pambazuka News 640: SPECIAL ISSUE: Brazil: Sizing up Africa's new suitor
Pambazuka News 640: SPECIAL ISSUE: Brazil: Sizing up Africa's new suitor
The Review of African Political Economy (ROAPE) is pleased to announce the establishment of a small research grants competition for African scholars/activists based in Africa and pursuing a political economy agenda. This is a call for applications.
Vale’s two-handed climate strategy – through which it develops a global extractive business while undertaking profitable offsetting initiatives at home – has allowed it to profit from false solutions to the climate crisis while worsening the problem
Brazil is among the extracting wealth from Mozambique. The southern African nation could soon join the resourced cursed societies, with polluted local environments and a changed structure of peoples’ lives, making them dependent on foreign decisions rather than their own local and national political power
The recent protests by social movements, which forced the president to consider certain policy changes, are a clear indication that a great opportunity exists for the progressive forces to strengthen democracy
Harare stands to benefit a great deal from increasing engagement with Brasilia in energy, mining, agriculture, or poverty alleviation policies. Zimbabwe must now engage the government of Brazil and expand mutually beneficial areas of political, economic and social cooperation between the two nations
Brazilians have much to learn from South Africans who hosted the 2010 World Cup in which thousands of South Africans rioted in the streets prior to the games and FIFA took billions in revenues. Will Brazil’s main trade union remain stymied by their alliance to the ruling party like South Africa’s?
Among the investment suitors lined up for Africa, Brazil has close historical and cultural links with Africa and this makes her a more likely partner than other rivals. Africa should develop the chemistry that exists between her and Brazil
Whether as skilled labourers, domestic servants, field hands, or as soldiers in the military, enslaved Africans brought to Brazil not only such important skills but their cultural and religious beliefs and practices that were to blend with European practices and customs. Ultimately it led to an Africanization of Brazil
Archival records from the late fifteenth and early sixteenth centuries show the Portuguese knew about Brazil years before 1500, when they officially discovered the South American landmass
One largely unknown area of Brazilian development cooperation is provision of electronic voting machines and training. This cooperation reveals a key part of Brazilian promotion of democracy and human rights abroad through state capacity building and reinforcing institutions
If one were to consider the cultural links between Brazil and Africa, Yoruba legacy in the North of Brazil could be the object of focus. However, this exchange was not just in one direction; the Brazilians also has a cultural impact on Africa
Brazil House in Jamestown, Ghana, can be conceptualized as an urban landscape of memory framing Tabon identity. But the house is also a powerful modern tool of nostalgia and longing for authenticity that sparks the desire of the Tabon to explore their roots and origin
The funds transfer programme has lifted millions of people out of poverty, although critics dismiss it as welfare adventurism which African countries can ill afford
The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) is an advocacy and grant making foundation that forms part of the global Open Society Foundations Network. OSIWA is based in Dakar, Senegal and works to support the creation of open societies in West Africa marked by functioning democracy, good governance, the rule of law, basic freedoms, and widespread civic participation. It has offices in Abuja, Monrovia, Freetown and Conakry.
Based in Dakar, Senegal, West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) is a well-established broadcaster with a unique remit. WADR broadcasts in French and English to several countries in West Africa and is looking to expand its presence across the region. At present, the station broadcasts on FM in Dakar and its surroundings, while its programs are relayed via satellite through a series of partner stations in different parts of West Africa. Listeners can also monitor WADR’s output through the streaming service on its website.
OSIWA seeks a STATION MANAGER FOR WEST AFRICA DEMOCRACY RADIO who would be based in Dakar to take charge of its daily operations. As a spin-off project of OSIWA, WADR is entering a period of consolidation and expansion. The station is looking to: take on a higher profile in West Africa and beyond, tightening links with partner stations and building new audiences in key countries; develop more engaged, wide-ranging and imaginative programs, with a strong focus on development issues, governance and human rights; create a solid network of partners from civil society and humanitarian and development agencies across the region and use a new injection of technology to build a much better performing station, and provide an authoritative new service to a mass audience in West Africa and the Diaspora.
For more details please visit
To Apply: send resume (in English), cover letter, brief writing sample and salary requirements, by cob August 10th, 2013 to: [email][email protected]
No phone calls, please. The Open Society Foundations are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Pambazuka News publishes a special edition for the first time in three languages: English, French and Portuguese, on the relations between Brazil and Africa
Pambazuka News 638: Egypt's turmoil, Obama's visit: exposing myths and truths
Pambazuka News 638: Egypt's turmoil, Obama's visit: exposing myths and truths
There are strong reasons for the persistence of the cultural practice of bride abduction in southern Africa and some parts of the world. But the practice violates the rights of the girl child and endangers her future wellbeing. It should be discarded
Statistics show that the numbers of people living with HIV and dying of AIDS/TB in Haiti has decreased dramatically over the past 10 years due to a policy directed at prevention based on education and increased access to treatment. But there are other very grim realities excluded from the official reports
There is a very broad conception of national security wherein state spooks have come to see themselves as the main watchdog of society, almost separate and above the constitutional and democratic order
The controversy is about the Nile’s governance. Ethiopia adheres to the Harmon Doctrine, which holds that a country has absolute sovereignty over the water that flows through its territory. But Egypt clings to its historical usage rights
They say the documentary breached journalistic ethics and exposed sex workers to possible hatred and violence at a time when sex workers have been targeted for attack in Kenya
Obama sees no irony in making a pilgrimage to Nelson Mandela’s place of political imprisonment, while holding 80,000 human beings in solitary confinement
Except in South Africa where some protesters opposed his visit, President Obama’s tour of Africa was received with much excitement around the continent. But burning questions about America’s dealings with Africa should be asked
America’s allies, Rwanda and Uganda, are involved in training, arming and offering operational support to rebels who have killed millions of people in eastern Congo. Yet, tellingly, Obama refrained from openly criticising them
Obama’s recent visit to South Africa when the 94-year-old Mandela was hospitalized created a golden opportunity for analysis and a questioning of long held assumptions about both men. The personal triumphs of these two individuals have not translated into success for black people in either of their countries.
Sixteen million Egyptians demonstrated against the government of President Morsi that led to his downfall. Western powers, Israel and the Gulf countries hate the perspective of a democratic, socially progressive, independent Egypt
In essence, what we had witnessed on 30 June 2013 in Egypt was the ordinary people’s revolution against the Islamists governance that had dismantled their lives for the interests of the West
On 8 July 8 2013 several individuals wrote to the President of South Sudan, expressing unease at disturbing developments in the country, particularly the impunity of the armed forces and growing corruption that portend future instability for the country. An immediate commitment to rectifying these problems is called for
In January 1967 historic talks were held in regards to the on-going civil war in Nigeria. Revisiting the talks via the audio transcripts of the deliberations reveals the success the leader of the Ibos, Colonel Odumegwu-Ojukwu had in persuading the rest of the participants to accept an extensively decentralised structural solution to Nigeria’s crisis
If the fragilities and dangers within Africa's growth are not recognised, 'Africa Rising' stereotypes may prove as hopeless as their predecessors
The popular rebellion against President Morsi shows that Egyptians will no longer back leaders who leave economic policy in the hands of Europe and the international banking elite, security in the hands of a savage and torturing police force, and foreign policy in the hands of the US, Britain and Israel
This phase of the revolution will require clarity from those who understand that the future of Egypt depends on the conscious and organized action of the people to avoid open warfare. The agents of militarism are ready to use the excuse of violence and security to hijack the will of the people
A two-party arrangement may be the panacea to the sectional politics Nigerians have long been attuned to
Greed is a national trait in Kenya, not just among the leaders but in all the citizens. Everyone wants to get material success no matter what the methods. It the fruit of a seed sown at independence
The history of inaction and failure of the AU to implement its own commitments and solutions poses real doubts about the credibility of its institutions after 50 years of existence
Significant gains have been achieved, but the Protocol will only have real meaning when governments go further and show their commitment to the protection and advancement of African women’s rights by domesticating and fully implementing the instrument
New York, 10 July 2013 - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today announced the appointment of Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka from South Africa as the new Executive Director of UN Women, the organization leading UN’s work on advancing gender equality and women’s rights.
The announcement was made through the Spokesperson of the UN Secretary-General at today’s news briefing. The statement says: “Ms. Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka brings to this position, a wealth of experience in advocating for women’s issues with a combination of strategic leadership, consensus building and hands-on management experience. She was the first woman to hold the position of Deputy President of South Africa from 2005 to 2008. Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka initially became a member of parliament in 1994 chairing the Public Service Portfolio Committee. She was deputy minister in the Department of Trade and Industry (1996-1999), Minister of Minerals and Energy (1999-2005) and briefly served as acting Minister of Arts, Culture, Science and Technology in 2004.
Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka was Young Women’s Coordinator for the World Young Women’s Christian Association in Geneva (1984-1986) and served as the first President of the Natal Organization of Women, an affiliate of the United Democratic Front, when it was formed in December 1983. Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka established Umlambo Foundation in 2008 to provide support to schools in impoverished areas in South Africa through mentorship and coaching for teachers and in Malawi through school improvements with local partners.
Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka holds a Master’s degree in Philosophy in Educational Planning and Policy from the University of Cape Town (2003) and a BA in Education from the University of Lesotho (1980). In 2003, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Western Cape.
Born in 1955, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka is married with three children.
On 4 June, the mayor promised to meet the residents by the end of the month to address their demands. But more than a week into July the residents have heard nothing further about the proposed meeting
Pambazuka News 635: Special Issue: Mobilising youth in Africa and the diaspora
Pambazuka News 635: Special Issue: Mobilising youth in Africa and the diaspora
Young people have paid an extremely high price for the fragile state the DR Congo finds itself in, especially as large numbers of them are uneducated, unemployed and with no skills. As a result, many have become dangerous delinquents
There is much to celebrate among young people of Africa. Despite some serious setbacks, the results are encouraging and the prognosis is good, very good
Sierra Leone is emerging from a decade of civil war and although education and training opportunities for young people are expanding, there is a clear gap in enhancing job candidates' chances of success upon applying for a position
The newly independent nation is beset by a host of problems of underdevelopment arising from slavery, wars and fragmentation of society. The serious hardships facing young people, who are the majority of the population, should be seen in this context and addressed urgently
African youth have been the drivers of revolutions in the past two years. However, to be more effective in bringing about desired change in their nations and the continent, they must listen, learn and earn their right to make meaningful contributions
The rulers in Ethiopia continue to use higher educational institutions not as places of learning, inquiry and research but as diploma mills for a new breed of party hacks and zombie ideologues doomed to blind and unquestioning servility
Being a young African woman is perhaps the most perilous form of identity in the continent. But there is growing recognition that Africa’s progress will be directly determined by how well it performs in improving the lives of its women and girls
There are essential knowledge, skills and attitudes which are critical to one’s role as a radical organizer. Young activists need to master them
Contemporary socio-political and economic conditions engendered by poor governance and the contradictions of decadent capitalism have led the youth into unemployment, underemployment, idleness, and unproductive and criminal activities for survival
They provide a model for other youth in diaspora to emulate: keeping in touch with one’s culture and religion; how to settle in a foreign land; creativity in employment; long-term investment in education
The question of whether or not Malawi should start considering the feasibility of providing free secondary school education is really one of whether or not Malawi should consider strengthening its human capital
There is a need to teach African youth in the diaspora to keep their identity while also providing them with opportunities to play a role as active citizens in their countries of origin. Eritrea has vibrant examples of this
The Malawi Young Pioneers Movement, which unfortunately became a terror militia to prop up the Banda regime, should be revisited by the Malawi government with the goal of involving youth in the county’s development
The Soweto student protests in 1976 marked the high point of youth revolt against the oppression of the apartheid regime. Today, young people in independent South Africa face new enemies arising from poverty and lack of access to opportunities necessary for a dignified life
All over the globe young people face similar and dissimilar problems: issues of oppression, economic, political and social injustice in various manifestations. They must globally mobilise with other progressive forces to transform not only their own lives but their own societies and the world
There are many contemporary questions regarding emancipation, transformation, unity, and rights for which today’s youth must seek answers, taking inspiration from the gallant struggles of previous generations
While it is key that youth who are vulnerable and marginalized are protected, brought to the mainstream and essentially empowered, it is also important to locate the assets within the youth body and create an enabling environment for their participation
The prolonged civil war changed everything for Somali youth. Hopeless, they became prey to a host of unscrupulous warlords, politicians and religious fanatics. Hundreds of young Somalis are today languishing in jails all overall the world
Africa is moving forward and with it are young, bright and innovative people who are positioning themselves to take a creative, critical and concrete role in its development. Young Africans in the continent and the diaspora can play a crucial role in shaping the future
Anyone who has aspirations of becoming a president or prime minister in their country has a steep hill to climb. The liberators/revolutionaries are still sitting pretty and in some cases claim they still have years to go
Will the much-vaunted new Constitution change the dismal fortunes of the youth for the better? It provides that the State shall take measures to ensure that the youth have access to relevant education and training; are accorded an opportunity to be represented and participate in political, social and other spheres of life; have access to employment and are protected from harmful cultural practices and exploitation
The biggest problem facing African youth today is not a lack of opportunity, or poverty, or whatever. Our biggest problem from where I stand is our inability to see ourselves with unfiltered honesty and a raw love
Pambazuka News 637: Fury in Egypt, looting Africa and taxing the poor
Pambazuka News 637: Fury in Egypt, looting Africa and taxing the poor
Oxfam has been making a difference in Chad since 2004. But as food prices continue to rise and conflicts both in neighbouring Sudan and Chad itself take their toll the situation has become even more serious. That’s why we’re refocusing our strategy and partnering with the Regional Centre, Oxfam International affiliates and other NGOs to offer a more coherent approach. And we need you to deliver it.
Democracy in Africa now features semi-competitive elections that retain and entrench neo-patrimonialism and old networks of elite domination. But social transformation that gives human content to good governance will only begin with strong African social movements in every state
Despite being in the path of this huge project, the people have very little information about the dam and the impacts it will bring to their lives. The situation is the same everywhere in Africa where poor communities are relocated to make way for huge infrastructure projects
The only real hope for Egypt is the formation of a government of national unity where the progressive forces are at the centre of the emerging political dispensation
The July 2013 issue of the Fahamu Refugee Legal Aid Newsletter is now available: Please help us distribute it, and consider contributing in the future. You can also like our Facebook page, and follow us on Twitter!
Mango are bringing their NGO money management training to Pretoria in July and still have some bursary (scholarship) places available for small, local NGOs and CSOs. Their training is specially designed for all NGO staff, not just finance people, and is very practical and enjoyable. For more information and to apply, .
Beneath Obama’s beguiling smile and rhetoric the exploitation of the African continent by the US continues. With both Obama and Zuma on the back foot in terms of their justification for looting Africa, this is an ideal moment for a new solidarity movement to make its case
'Our silence in the face of outrageous lies may give the misimpression that we are ignorant, witless, fainthearted and without much sense or sensibility. But we know the simple truth; and that truth is human rights in Ethiopia is an afterthought for the Obama Administration'
Coverage of day-to-day news in African affairs in German media lacks in quantity as well as quality. AfrikaEcho, a young online news site, wants to change this, financed by ‘crowdfunding’ and ‘pay as you want’ subscriptions
A bill sponsored by the government and backed by IMF to raise more money to finance a huge budget announced recently seeks to impose value added tax on basic commodities. This has led to angry protests by Kenyans
The young man articulated the frustration, fragility, despair and aspiration of so many young-black-men. He spoke for the many who strive to better their life by attempting to gain the ability to negotiate with a system that has socialized, marginalized, and institutionalized them with a misrepresented identity
Established book publishers in Kenya have a keen nose of commerce and politics. They do not publish to store and disseminate knowledge. But instead they publish either to make money or to gain political favour. And now tribalism has also set in
‘Are we not mature enough as a nation to make our own rules? At 53, should we still have to copy from other nations? At 53, should we still have to grovel at the feet of other nations?’