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2011 was an eventful year for the continent of Africa, not least because of the wave of protest movements that was launched in Tunisia and then spread all over the world in various forms. Below is a roundup of some wonderful happenings on the African continent that you may have missed.
NORTHERN AFRICA
Algeria opened its first underground rail system in the capital, Algiers. The only other underground rail in Africa is in Cairo, Egypt. Tunisians peacefully deposed long-time president Ben-Ali and held elections to usher in their first democratic government. Well done, Tunisia! Uprisings in Egypt and Libya also led to a change in executive leadership in both countries, although in less peaceful ways than the Tunisian transition. Other North African governments, most notably Morocco, scrambled to give the people more of what they want, in order to avoid similar uprisings in their own countries.
SOUTHERN AFRICA
Miss Angola, Leila Lopes, was crowned Miss Universe in September; the Kingdom of Lesotho keeps taking giant steps towards gender equality and is ahead of some Western countries; and Zambia generated a lot of buzz all over the world due to the appointment of its first white Zambian as Vice President. In South Africa, paint factories run by our ancestors 100,000 years ago were unearthed. They demonstrate how forward thinking our people were.
EASTERN AFRICA
In Rwanda, Gregory Tayi has pioneered renewable energy by building small hydro-electric stations on some of the country’s rivers to provide electricity. Tanzania hosted its 4th annual Swahili Fashion Week to mark 50 years of independence and promote East African designers; a few southern African designers were also invited to participate. The Republic of South Sudan, Africa’s newest nation, was finally born after years of struggle. And if you haven’t heard, Ethiopia now has one of the fastest growing economies in the world.
WESTERN AFRICA
Angelique Kidjo, the amazing singer from Benin, continued to be an Ambassador for Africa as she entertained audiences around the world. Cape Verde graduated from the list of Least Developed Countries to become a middle-income country, and its President, Pedro de Verona Rodrigues Pires, was awarded the Mo Ibrahim award for African Governance. Cape Verde is a nation without corruption, and one of Africa’s success stories.
Mali celebrated African photographers at the Bamako Encounters in November. That same month the Paris Photo international fair was dedicated to Africa. Meanwhile, serial entrepreneur Magatte Wade, is redefining Senegal’s (and Africa’s) place in the world through manufacturing.
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
says:
It has been an amazing year indeed. One of my favourite stories and something that Africa ought to capitalize on- youngsters from Portugal hitting the road to Angola and Mozambique in search of work! Who would have imagined that!
ethnicsupplies recently posted..Is a mobile phone better than shoes on an African child’s feet?
I came across a piece about Portuguese youngsters moving to Angola in search of work. I wasn’t sure what to think about that, especially because it was in the oil industry. Do Angolan and Mozambican youngsters have work? Will their governments look out for them so they’re not shortchanged?
Minda recently posted..Becoming You
Twitter: ethnicsupplies
says:
I must admit I had not given much thought to the flip side of this. The Angolan and Mozambican government might decide to give jobs to incomers which could disadvantage youngsters in those countries and cause tension.
Another point to consider now that I think about this is, They are some amongst Africans that still harbour imperialistic views and think foreign is better than local. I am reminded of an English man I met at a networking event 2 years ago. He told me that he is married to an African woman and he was working on a project in her country of origin. He had recently been approached by a local University out there who wanted him to one of their lecturers. he told them that he didn’t have much of an education that qualified him to be a lecturer at a University. The answer he got back from the owner astonished him to say the least- YOU ARE WHITE AND ENGLISH , THAT YOU HAVE A LOW EDUCATION ATTAINMENT SHOULD NOT MATTER.
ethnicsupplies recently posted..Is a mobile phone better than shoes on an African child’s feet?
Wow Ida, I have said a lot of things in the past surrounding what you have just said about qualifications, even in Africa, not just in America as posted so eloquently a few weeks ago about African immigrants with good qualifications. Should we go back and teach English?
Emang Freedes recently posted..It’s a wrap for truffles this Christmas
Twitter: myburntorange
says:
Amazing Africa continues to rise. I find the Portuguese story very interesting, especially having recently visited the country for the first time and really just getting to learn of its colonial dynamics. Apparently the daughter of former Angolan president Isabel José dos Santos named by Forbes as Africa’s richest woman owns half of Portugal (not really, but the Portuguese themselves mock her investment choices). I agree with you on Mozambique and Angola looking after their youth. Mind boggling indeed, I will be watching closely.
Wow! Had no idea dos Santos’ daughter was that invested in Portugal, nor that she was Africa’s wealthiest woman. I’ll have to look that list up. I hope the governments in Mozambique and Angola make wise choices that will move their countries forward.
Minda recently posted..Time to Say Goodbye