rabble.ca - Africafiles: The Pulse

Azawad: Can this breakaway African state work?

Africafiles — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:00:47 +0000

A Tuareg group declared the independence of northern Mali in April.

With looming famine and a coup in the south, it is unclear whether this breakaway state can — and should — survive.

Africafiles speaks to Professor William Moseley about the future and implications of an independent Azawad.

Africafiles: Cities, poverty and revolution

Africafiles — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:03:23 +0000

Africa is one of the least urbanized parts of the world. But that's rapidly changing.

Africa's rural to urban migration is leading to an increase in poor urban dwellers living without access to basic services like adequate housing, water, sanitation, and roads.

According to Peace Studies Lecturer Timothy Gachanga, this African urban poverty is leading to revolution.

Tanzanian gold mining: The devil in the detail

Africafiles — Tue, 22 Feb 2011 10:33:46 +0000

In May 2009, toxic waste from a gold mine located in North Mara, Tanzania, spilled into River Thigithe. Reports from the surrounding villages alleged that 20 people and from 700 to 1,000 head of livestock died from the contaminated water. The company that operates the mine, African Barrick, denied that the spillage led to the deaths of villagers, and Barrick's spokesperson said recently that there are no more problems with the river. But villagers living in Tarime district claim they are still experiencing health-related illnesses from the water. There are also reports that a number of people have been killed by security forces belonging to the company. Zahra Moloo reports in this audio piece obtained by permission from Pambazuka.

Presidential elections in Africa: Is democracy really the answer?

Africafiles — Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:08:55 +0000

Discussing presidential elections outcomes in Cote d'Ivoire, Tanzania, Niger and Guinea.

Zimbabwe: What progress after two years of power-sharing?

Africafiles — Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:49:26 +0000

This podcast is about the political situation in Zimbabwe after two years of power-sharing. In particular, we examine the role of the military and security services in Zimbabwe's political process and discuss various scenarios for the future. The podcast is based on an interview the Institute for Security Studies in South Africa had with the Deputy Director at the Urban Society Institute for Southern Africa.

African women in online dating: Voices from Cameroon

Africafiles — Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:49:55 +0000

The Africa culture generally frowns against women exposing their naked bodies in public. But as technological development is shrinking the world into a global village, local cultures are finding it harder to control the way people express themselves or interact with others the world over. The internet for example has made it possible for hither to timid girls to come out of their closets and have their physical and emotional needs met in a manner that was unthinkable barely few decades ago. This episode of the African Pulse is dedicated to discussing African women's involvement in the global online dating phenomenon.

Episode #26: Special South Africa 2010 FIFA World Cup Coverage

Africafiles — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 20:23:52 +0000

There is excitement in Africa the World Cup is hosted on home soil. Must African teams have played their opening matches. Listen to reactions from local fans.

Focus on arts: The sound of Cameroon music

Africafiles — Fri, 21 May 2010 17:34:28 +0000

Cameroon music offers a glimpse of the art and culture of the country. The popularity of the traditional as well as contemporary music establishes the importance of this aspect of Cameroon society and culture. What can you tell about Cameroon by listening to its music?

Cameroon/Nigeria: The social side of the Bakassi Peninsula Crisis

Africafiles — Thu, 15 Apr 2010 23:21:02 +0000

The resolution of the Cameroon-Nigeria sovereignty dispute over oil-rich Bakassi Peninsula has been described by the UN as "a diplomatic success". Exactly how successful was it? What role did the UN play in resolving the crisis? What about the African Union? What has been the fate of the local people? This is an interview with Dr. Fongot Kinni Yen Kinni who has spent years researching the social side of the crisis and has written a book on this subject. Dr. Kinni is currently looking for a publisher.

Cameroon/Nigeria: The Social Side of the Bakassi Peninsula Crisis - Part II

Africafiles — Wed, 14 Apr 2010 13:59:02 +0000

Equal rights, equal opportunities: Progress for all - International Women's Day in Africa

Africafiles — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 23:42:02 +0000

African women have been celebrating the International Women's Day since 1911. But what does the day really mean to them? What have they benefited from it? Should they celebrate at all? Listen to African women themselves.

DRC and Rwanda

meagan perry — Sun, 08 Feb 2009 18:58:04 +0000

Episode #25: Students advocate on HIV/AIDS causes

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:22:19 +0000

Georgine Kengne Djeutane, Regional Secretary, of the Nairobi-based World Student Christian Federation (WSCF) – Africa Region was in Toronto from March 25th to 31st for a fundraising meeting with Student Christian Movement (SCM) Canada. She speaks of student advocacy projects in Cameroon, Ethiopia, the Ivory Coast and Lesotho and on the subjects of debt relief, structural adjustment programs, the brain drain of health workers and on the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. Producer : Farai Gonzo

Episode #24: Kenyans in Canada react to sad loss of life

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:38 +0000

Since a disputed December 27 election Kenya has been rocked by violence. Opposition leader Raila Odinga says the elections were rigged. Some election observers say the vote counting was flawed.

African Union head John Kufuor is to meet Kenya's president and opposition leader to try to break a political impasse behind post-election turmoil that has killed 500 people.

Kenyan Community in Ontario president Ben Ondoro speaks to Pulse about the efforts of Kenyan-Canadian to seek a solution to the sad loss of life in Kenya.

For more information on the crisis in Kenya and local efforts to find a solution, please visit ww.africalfiles.org.

Episode #23 A Tribute to A Moral Soldier

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:38 +0000

After trying for years to have a have a baby, young woman in Ermelo, South Africa considered it nothing short of a miracle when she gave birth to a son on August 3, 1964.

She aptly called the son Lucky. The baby, Lucky Dube, grew to be an international superstar and one of the strongest moral voices of apartheid South Africa. Lucky Dube was one of the most prolific, acclaimed singers. The dreadlocked singer was killed in a carjacking in Johannesburg, South Africa.

He will be remembered for his commitment to justice, his unshakeable faith of the power if individual to change the world

Audio Clips: Lucky Dube live at Rototom Sunsplas, Osoppo, Italy.
Lucky Dube : www.luckydube.com

Africafiles: www.africafilesfiles.org

Episode #22: The American Hand in Somalia

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:17 +0000

Assad Ismi and Christin Schwatrz explore the role of the US in the invasion of Somalia by Ethiopia. This is the second part of "Militarizing Africa", the first of their four-part series on the destructive impact of U.S. imperialism on Africa.
0.00.00: Introduction
0.02.15: Assad Ismi & Christin Schwartz talk to African activists and explore the American hand in the Horn of Africa
0.14.45: Ends

Links:
Assad Ismi - www.asadismi.ws
Africafiles.org - www.africafiles.org

Episode #21: The American Hand in Congo

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:17 +0000

The ravaging of Africa has been enriching Europe and North America for more than 500 years. First, European empires imposed slavery and colonialism on the continent. After 1945, the United States took over as the dominant neo-colonial power. Assad Ismi and Christin Schwatrz explore the role of the US in "Militarizing Africa", the first of their four-part series on the destructive impact of U.S. imperialism on Africa.
0.00.00: Introduction
0.04.03: Assad Ismi & Christin Schwartz talk to African activists and explore the American hand in the war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo
0.19.27: Ends

Links:
Assad Ismi - www.asadismi.ws
Africafiles.org - www.africafiles.org

Episode #20 Zimbabwe: A Tale of Gloom and Little Light

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:02 +0000

0:00:01 Introduction
0:00:49 On his birthday, former Zimbabwean journalist Silence Genti cannot help but turn his thoughts to his home country - features Bob Marley clip
0:03:50 Some good news at least - A 13-year-old Zimbabwean Aids peer educator focuses her sights on being a professional doctor and soccer player.
0:07:18 The lets-go-local policy of the Zimbabwean government has seen the rise of 'Urban groove', a movement of young artists trying to make sense of their own existence and dealing with everyday issues such as family and , of course, love.
Artists - Ngoni and Bantu Huntaz
0:17:14 Ends....

Episode #19 Drug Use and Trafficking Increasing in Africa

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:21:02 +0000

0:00:00 - Introduction 0:00:50 - Louise Potterton talks to Dr Thomas Pietschmann, one of the authors of The World Drug Report, which is produced annually by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC). 0:08:50 - Closing remarks

Episode #18: A Lifetime of Telling African Stories

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:20:58 +0000

"When you look at African education, the basis of all African education is this idea of femininity that I'm talking about. Whether you are talking about me or my father, usually, women just give us the illusion that we are in control. Actually, even our virility depends on the gaze and the control of women. Without women, we cannot do anything." Looking back at a great storyletter's life.

Episode #17: Choices for Women

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:20:47 +0000

Part 3: Women and Leadership Series
Abortion is a hot topic in Africa. It is outlawed in most countries. Some believe it should be legalized. Others believe that it immoral and should not be left to the individula to decide. But whatever your persuasion, it is impossible to ignore the devastating effects of illegal abortion.

According to the World Health Organisation, each year nearly 19 million induced abortions are performed in unsafe conditions by unskilled providers and result in deaths of an estimated 68,000 girls and women.

Winnie Onyimbo reports from Nairobi where hospitals deal with thousands of women suffering the effects of incomplete or unsafe abortions every year.

Report: Winnie Onyimbo/Interworld Radio

Episode #16: Women helping women

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:20:44 +0000

Part 2: Women and Leadership SeriesA group of seven women from London, Ontario including jazz vocalist Denise Pelley went to southern Sudan in an effort to help their fellow women.

00.00.01 - Introduction
00.01.31 - Africa headlines
00.02.43 - Musical interlude
00.05.00 - Join Africafiles
00.05.34 - Denise Pelley: Passion for Sudan
00.14.47 - Ends

Music (in order of appearance)

Episode #15: Is the role of African Women Changing?

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:20:22 +0000

The Women and Leadership Series Part 1: Is the role of African women changing? Women in Africa have made big strides in their emancipation and are a force to reckon with in decision-making. Margaret Zondo, a former senior government in Zimbabwe and recently vice-president of the African Canadian Social Forum talks about the changes sweeping across the continent for African woman.

0.00.01 - Introduction
0.00.38 - Margaret Zondo – Interview
0.00.03 - Closing remarks

Credits

Music: Prince Nico Mbarga (Sweet Mother)
Production Assistant: Hazel Nhema
Research: Beatrice Fantoni
Advisory Team: Jim Kirkwood & Don Nicol
Producer: Silence Genti

Links

read more

Episode #14: Our Children in the Diaspora

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:20:00 +0000

The Congo has experienced decades of war. Has the search for peace finally ended for the mineral rich African country?

War and instability on the continent has led to many people leaving their homes. Some, like Kadeeja, end up in New York, going to college and selling newspapers on street corners. A New York film producer Tara Milutis recently produced a short film, Newsgirl, based on her meeting with 20-year-old Chad-born girl.

Guest: Tara Milutis ()

Music: 2 Face Idibia, Mahmoud Ahmed
Production Assistants: Yemurai Binda, Musa Nhema

Links:
www.africafiles.org
Newsgirl: http://www.tmilutis.com

Episode #13- 50 years of Zimbabwean stone

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:19:39 +0000

Africafiles.org Headlines

"The International Financial Institutions (IFIs) provide loans to poor countries based on conditions that undermine state sovereignty. It is these conditions that precipitate the political and economic breakdown of some African countries. " - Wahu Kaara and Kiama Kaara
http://africafiles.org/article.asp?ID=12914&ThisURL=./ecjustice.asp&URLName=Economic%20Justice

Zimbabwean Stone Returns to Toronto

The annual exbition of Zimbabwean stone returns to Toronto with a magnifient retrospect of 50 years of Shona sculpture. Amy Saunderson-Mayer talksabout the
read more

Episode #12: Africa and Aids- Part 2

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:19:39 +0000

The last part of our coverage of the Aids Conference featuring Sonny Mokotlane from the South African Broadcasting Corporation and Justin Mucheri, who is based in the breakaway Somaliland. Mokotlane talks about efforts by the African broadcasters to improve their approach to communicating on Aids prevention and care. Justin Mucheri talks about the role of the artists in the disemination of information.

Episode #11: Africa and Aids- Part 1

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:19:36 +0000

Does the ABC approach work? Beatrice Were of the National Community of Women Living with HIV/AIDS in Uganda were says if abstinence was working, then the number of hiv cases in Africa.

Gina Chiwala talks about education, information dissemination and treatment in Zambia.
00:00:00 Introduction
00:04:55 Beatrice Were: Abstinence and women’s rights
00:21:15 Gina Chiwela discusses literacy and HIV-Aids treatment in Zambia
00:25:01 Epilogue
read more

Episode #10: Aids Conference 2006: Churches, Youth and Aids

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:19:34 +0000

How is the church helping as Africa struggles with the aids pandemic?How are African youth being affected by Aids? Rev M Mulumo of United Church of Zambia and Abigail Kapasa discuss these issues. Both Mulumo and Kapasa were attending the XVI International Aids Conference.

00:00:01 Introduction
00:01:02 Rev. Mulumo and Kapasa discuss how Aids has affected youth and the role of the churches as well as government in Aids prevention and care
00:07:33 Epilogue
Many men and many women have said before that they don't believe that there's HIV in Africa HIV in Africa
Most of them have passed away cos they refused to heed the voice
– Lyrics from Stay Alive, a song by Style Plus, a Nigerian contemporary music quartet .
read more

Episode #9: Aids - A Time for Deliver

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:19:32 +0000

Aids continues to ravage much of Africa. African delegates to the conference are calling for more action from the world community at the XVI International Aids Conference. 00:00 - Introduction 01:32 - Nick Lubaale, Africa Direcotr, HIV/Aids and Dev. Program, Organisation of African Instituted Churches 05:17 - Lumba Chenga, media relations director, Women for Change and former newspaper journalist in Zambia 09:37 - ends
read more

Episode #8: South Africa - Preparing children for the future

Africafiles — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 02:19:29 +0000

South Africa - Preparing children for the future
Poverty, Aids, disease and other socio-economic conditions affect children’s capacity to learn. Early Child Development programs are important in addressing the preparedness of children for the education system. An ECD program in South Africa is scoring successes in improving young children’s capacity to develop and learn.
+Child Soldiers demobilized in Sudan
+Child alert Congo

Guest - Tineke Uys, director of Thusano, South Africa
read more