35 years ago today, the Republic of Mozambique became independent from Portugal and we're celebrating on Afri-love with a special post…
lulu kitololo
Summer reads
On the Afri-love facebook page, a discussion got going about favourite books by African authors. Recommendations so far include:
Tayeb Salih’s Season of Migration to the North, Alan Paton’s Cry, the Beloved Country, Yvonne Vera’s Butterfly Burning and Ama Ata Aidoo’s Our Sister Killjoy.
What are your favourites and why?
Nairobi, observed by Richard Etienne
Drawings of Majengo (top) and Kibera by journalist and author (and my former classmate!) Richard Etienne.
Si vous lisez français, check out Richard’s book on Kenyan runners, Le Pays de Coureurs.
SOAS reunion in Kenya, 26 June
This Saturday there will be a School of Oriental and African Studies alumni reunion in Ngong, courtesy of Devon Knudsen (generous host and alumni contact for Kenya). All alumni in the local area are invited to attend this rooftop barbecue reunion. He’d be delighted to see you there, please bring your friends and families along.
The venue is a nice retreat right outside of Nairobi on the edge of the Rift Valley. There will be a bar, barbeque, games for kids and a recognition of notable local SOAS alumni.
Date: 26 June
Time: 14:00-18:00
Venue: Ngong, Nairobi
Please RSVP by 24 June, to [email protected]
For further information please contact Devon Knudsen [email protected]
Africa Oyé in pictures
If you didn’t make it to Africa Oyé in Liverpool this past weekend, here’s a taste of what you missed…
Quote of the week
“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”
— Bishop Desmond Tutu
SA week: Black Coffee
One to keep the weekend going just that little bit more…
The Afri-love hypothesis
Every Friday, we’ll be posting a piece on the growing Afri-love idea. Here’s the first installment. Happy weekends all!
I believe that when people look into themselves and accept, love and respect what they find there, they will unlock the abundant energy that creates opportunities for success. In all areas of their lives. When I look inside myself, I know that my passion – the thing that inspires and motivates me most – is Africa. It defines who I am. I embrace and express this appreciation at every opportunity. Doing so has taught me more about myself and made me acknowledge the power of my potential.
Africa Oyé this weekend!
To all those residing in the UK, the place to be this weekend is at Liverpool’s Africa Oyé festival. The annual celebration of African music and culture kicks off on Saturday. With a line-up of musical acts from the continent and the diaspora, arts, crafts and refreshments, it’s sure to be two days of good vibrations and Afri-love.
And it’s free!
SA week: Apartheid Museum
Johannesburg's Apartheid Museum, is a must-visit if you're ever in town. The visitor is guided through 20th century South Africa in a series of 22 individual exhibition areas – each a different chapters of the apartheid story.
After my visit a few years ago, I was left with two particular impressions: