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Academic rigour, journalistic flair

African sci-fi: body hopping, artificial wombs and angry ghosts in a future Botswana

Nedine Moonsamy, University of Johannesburg

A man wearing black clothes and a yarmulke looks out across a mountainous landscape

South Africa’s Lemba people: how they view their Jewishness challenges Zionist ideas that identity is linked to one homeland

Noah Tamarkin, Cornell University

Science journalism in South Africa: social media is helping connect with new readers

Sisanda Nkoala, University of the Western Cape

An illustration showing a digitally rendered world map with a row of children walking along the centre, lines linking them to various places.

An illustration showing a digitally rendered world map with a row of children walking along the centre, lines linking them to various places.

Margaret Busby: how a pioneering Ghanaian publisher put African women’s writing on the map

Phillippa Yaa de Villiers, University of the Witwatersrand

A young woman with an Afro sits at a desk piled with manuscripts, gesturing with her hands.

A young woman with an Afro sits at a desk piled with manuscripts, gesturing with her hands.

How the Mandela myth helped win the battle for democracy in South Africa

Jonny Steinberg, Yale University

A black and white photo of an African couple, smiling, the woman raising a fist in the air and the man waving as he holds on to a railing.

A black and white photo of an African couple, smiling, the woman raising a fist in the air and the man waving as he holds on to a railing.

West Africa’s fashion designers are world leaders when it comes to producing sustainable clothes

Adwoa Owusuaa Bobie, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

A young woman stands at a waterfront pool with an arm on her hip, posing in an outfit of shiny green with pink African fabric contrasting it on the collar and skirt.

A young woman stands at a waterfront pool with an arm on her hip, posing in an outfit of shiny green with pink African fabric contrasting it on the collar and skirt.

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Music

An African woman with short, natural hair smiles directly at the camera and extends her arms, wearing a gown that is pleated and drawn together in the waist.

Tutu Puoane: the South African singer on creating her new album out of Lebo Mashile’s poetry

Nomfundo Xaluva, University of Cape Town

Abdullah Ibrahim: South Africa’s master pianist is going on a world tour at 90

Christine Lucia, Stellenbosch University

An elderly man with grey hair stands under a light on a stage next to a piano, hands in a thank-you prayer position in front of him.

An elderly man with grey hair stands under a light on a stage next to a piano, hands in a thank-you prayer position in front of him.

A tribute to Maurice El Medioni, the last of the Algerian-born Jewish musical stars

Ilana Webster-Kogen, SOAS, University of London

A man plays the piano

A man plays the piano

Fuji music in Nigeria: new documentary shines light on a popular African culture

Saheed Aderinto, Florida International University

A man with a microphone

A man with a microphone

Grammy Awards: Africa finally has its own category – but at what cost?

Eric Charry, Wesleyan University

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Film + TV

Five women in black attire hold up the photos of two women.

Four Daughters is a Tunisian masterpiece – what makes the film groundbreaking

Florence Martin, Goucher College

Bobi Wine: The People’s President – a gripping film about Uganda’s fight for freedom

Julia Cain, University of Cape Town

A man in a suit stands on the back of as moving motorbike, held from behind by another man as they drive along a dirt road in Uganda, some people running alongside or watching on.

A man in a suit stands on the back of as moving motorbike, held from behind by another man as they drive along a dirt road in Uganda, some people running alongside or watching on.

Black Panther, Wakanda Forever and the problem with Hollywood – an African perspective

Jeanne-Marie Viljoen, University of South Australia

A futurist scene with a queen sitting on a throne with tusk-like shapes at the back of it. Two shaven-headed women in uniform hold spears, guarding her.

A futurist scene with a queen sitting on a throne with tusk-like shapes at the back of it. Two shaven-headed women in uniform hold spears, guarding her.

Hollywood’s first major Black female superhero: how Wakanda Forever broke the mould

Diana Adesola Mafe, Denison University

A woman with short natural hair and a black jacket with silver adornment glances at the camera with a small smile. In front of her a row of people, some holding microphones to interview her.

A woman with short natural hair and a black jacket with silver adornment glances at the camera with a small smile. In front of her a row of people, some holding microphones to interview her.

Queer film in Africa is rising – even in countries with the harshest anti-LGBTIQ+ laws

Gibson Ncube, Stellenbosch University

Across an open field, a young man in civilian clothing walks ahead of a group of boys wearing traditional red and white cloths around their waists.

Across an open field, a young man in civilian clothing walks ahead of a group of boys wearing traditional red and white cloths around their waists.

Read more on African cinema

Books

A suburban Johannesburg street, a man walks under rows of purple-flowered trees with his hands in his pockets, seen from behind

Johannesburg in a time of darkness: Ivan Vladislavić’s new memoir reminds us of the city’s fragility

Bronwyn Law-Viljoen, University of Adelaide

Nervous Conditions: on translating one of Zimbabwe’s most famous novels into Shona

Tinashe Mushakavanhu, University of Oxford

An African woman with glasses and greying dreadlocks smiles wryly at camera wearing colourful jersey and standing in a large hall with grand windows.

An African woman with glasses and greying dreadlocks smiles wryly at camera wearing colourful jersey and standing in a large hall with grand windows.

What are Sabaki languages? How people formed ethnic groups along the coast of east Africa

Daren Ray, Brigham Young University

An old map in colour with cursive names in Portuguese showing a coastline and hilly interior.

An old map in colour with cursive names in Portuguese showing a coastline and hilly interior.

Women in South Africa’s armed struggle: new book records history at first hand

Thoko Sipungu, Rhodes University

Women in South Africa’s armed struggle: new book records history at first hand

Women in South Africa’s armed struggle: new book records history at first hand

Black Ghosts: Noo Saro-Wiwa’s new book is a powerful reflection on Africans in China

Janet Remmington, University of York

Through the glass of a shop front, three people are visible. A chinese woman and man flank an African man who looks into camera through the glass. A blurry reflection of a woman is seen passing on the street.

Through the glass of a shop front, three people are visible. A chinese woman and man flank an African man who looks into camera through the glass. A blurry reflection of a woman is seen passing on the street.

Read more on African writers

Faith

A crowd of protesters marching down a city street with banners that read "A walk for upholding family values", "The devil inspired LGBTQ agenda will fall" and the like.

US Christian right has taken aim at LGBTIQ+ rights, sex education and abortion in Africa – new book

Haley McEwen, University of Gothenburg

The rise of African prophets: the unchecked power of the leaders of Pentecostal churches

Josiah Taru, Rice University

Two men stand at a giant TV screen. They're on a platform, one behind a camera, filming scenes from a gathering of many people in what appears to be a giant tent with lights. On the screen a man in a grey suit moves along the front row of people in worship.

Two men stand at a giant TV screen. They're on a platform, one behind a camera, filming scenes from a gathering of many people in what appears to be a giant tent with lights. On the screen a man in a grey suit moves along the front row of people in worship.

TB Joshua scandal: the forces that shaped Nigeria’s mega pastor and made him untouchable

Nimi Wariboko, Boston University School of Theology

A man holds a candle as he talks, his face earnest. He has a beard and wears an elaborate black and white jacket.

A man holds a candle as he talks, his face earnest. He has a beard and wears an elaborate black and white jacket.

Zuleikha Mayat: South African author and activist who led a life of courage, compassion and integrity

Saleem Badat, University of the Free State

An elderly woman in a light blue headscarf and matching top proudly displays two books, different editions of Indian Delights

An elderly woman in a light blue headscarf and matching top proudly displays two books, different editions of Indian Delights

Catholic synod: the voices of church leaders in Africa are not being heard – 3 reasons why

Stan Chu Ilo, DePaul University

Man in white robe speaking into a microphone while seated at a round table with four other men, all with a computer screen in front of them

Man in white robe speaking into a microphone while seated at a round table with four other men, all with a computer screen in front of them

Read more on TB Joshua

Sport

African Games 2024: is it really worth it for Ghana to host the mega sport event?

Kamilla Swart, Hamad Bin Khalifa University

Four men in athletics gear kneel and crouch on a running track, two of them draped in the green, red and yellow flags of Ghana.

Four men in athletics gear kneel and crouch on a running track, two of them draped in the green, red and yellow flags of Ghana.

Kelvin Kiptum: the Kenyan runner who redefined what it takes to win marathons

Wycliffe W. Njororai Simiyu, Stephen F. Austin State University

A smiling man in a running vest raises his arms, holding a black, red and green flag.

A smiling man in a running vest raises his arms, holding a black, red and green flag.

African football won the 34th Afcon, with Côte d'Ivoire a close second

Chuka Onwumechili, Howard University

A man's face adorned in a wig of orange, white and green. His mouth is open in a huge smile, his eyes wrinkled with glee.

A man's face adorned in a wig of orange, white and green. His mouth is open in a huge smile, his eyes wrinkled with glee.

Afcon’s decision to allow 24 countries to play is paying off – and having dramatic repercussions

Chuka Onwumechili, Howard University

A man in football gear holds his head, his mouth open in shock.

A man in football gear holds his head, his mouth open in shock.

Read more on African football

History + heritage

History for sale: what does South Africa’s struggle heritage mean after 30 years of democracy?

Duane Jethro, University of Cape Town

A large bronze statue of a man in a loose shirt, his arms poised in dance. He stands at the lit-up entrance to shops.

A large bronze statue of a man in a loose shirt, his arms poised in dance. He stands at the lit-up entrance to shops.

Esther Mahlangu: how the famous South African artist keeps her Ndebele culture alive

Sifiso Ndlovu, University of Mpumalanga

An elderly woman sits on a chair in an art gallery full of bright murals. She wears intricate traditional Ndebele clothing with beaded head wrap and outsized beaded necklaces as well as a blanket in brown, yellow, navy and red.

An elderly woman sits on a chair in an art gallery full of bright murals. She wears intricate traditional Ndebele clothing with beaded head wrap and outsized beaded necklaces as well as a blanket in brown, yellow, navy and red.

Colonial statues in Africa have been removed, returned and torn down again – why it’s such a complex history

Sophia Labadi, University of Kent

A statue of a man being removed

A statue of a man being removed

Congo Style: how two dictators shaped the DRC’s art, architecture and monuments

Ruth Sacks, University of Johannesburg

A statue with an arm raised, behind it a tower.

A statue with an arm raised, behind it a tower.

Read more on history + heritage

Cities + societies

Tunisia’s El Kef city is rich in heritage: centuries of cultural mixing give it a distinct identity

Majdi Faleh, Nottingham Trent University; Asma Gharbi, Université de Carthage, and Nourchen Ben Fatma, Université de Carthage

A landscape view with at the spires of a mosque foregrounded above a great plain.

A landscape view with at the spires of a mosque foregrounded above a great plain.

Girls and pornography in South Africa: going beyond just the negative effects

Deevia Bhana, University of KwaZulu-Natal

Lips and other graphics on a purple background

Lips and other graphics on a purple background

Slaves of God: Nigeria’s traditional Osu slavery practice was stopped, but the suffering continues

Michael E Odijie, UCL

A banner with the words printed on it

A banner with the words printed on it

Nigeria’s flamboyant aso ebi dressing style is popular - but it’s become a financial burden

Susan Olubukola Badeji, Redeemer's University

Women in colourful fabrics raising horse tail

Women in colourful fabrics raising horse tail

Read more on African cities

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