By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Only a few weeks ago, African leaders were breathing a sigh of relief as the new coronavirus skipped the continent to lodge in Italy, Spain and other European countries. “Whether it’s a matter of faulty detection, climatic factors or simple fluke, the remarkably low rate […]
New Laws Allow Zimbabwe to Fine or Jail to Keep Kids in School
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Zimbabwe is experimenting with a bold attempt to make parents prioritize education and bring down drop-out rates. Harare has amended its laws to make the first 12 years of schooling compulsory. Children are now required by law to stay in school for an extra five […]
Unlocking the Potential of Tanzania’s Smallholder Farmers
By Kizito Makoye IRINGA, Tanzania (IDN) – When Osmund Ueland met a group of farmers to pitch his idea about starting a goat milk project at a village in Tanzania’s southern highlands to help poor families improve nutrition and boost incomes, he elicited loud applause from the crowd. Huddled in a dimly lit mud-walled house […]
African Students Trapped In China
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — The coronavirus is spreading fast beyond its China borders, with cases now rising in parts of Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Some 90,000 people have been infected in over 65 countries and 3,000 worldwide have died of Covid-19. As soon as the virus emerged, […]
Women In Malawi In Day of Action for ‘She Decides Day’
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — It’s a day of action and global solidarity. SheDecides Day takes place annually on March 2 as feminist activism is on the rise in Malawi and around the world. This year, wearing red t-shirts, some 90 young women took to the streets in a silent […]
South Africa Cancels Promised Wage Increase, Angering Unions
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — Promises promises. I’m all through with promises promises. That’s the Diane Warwick tune South African public servants will be singing bitterly if a three-year wage deal signed in 2018 is headed for the recycling bin. The promised wage hike was due to start next month, […]
UN Supports Sustainable Development of Kenya’s ‘Last Frontier’
Viewpoint by Mohammed Simba Guleid The writer is the CEO of the Frontier Counties of Kenya and the former Deputy Governor of Isiolo County. NAIROBI (IDN) – The United Nations estimates that Sub-Saharan Africa loses 40 billion hours per year collecting water. In most of Kenya’s water-scarce regions, this invariably involves an already poorly-nourished mother […]
Africa Is Joining the Burgeoning World of Digital Economies
By Yun Shi SAN DIEGO, CA, USA (IDN | Africa Renewal) — Catherine Oshotse, a 27-year-old entrepreneur from Lagos, Nigeria, has the internet to thank for her growing business. Selling hair extensions and women’s handbags online to customers across Africa and abroad has grown her client base from 10 in 2015 to more than 1,000 […]
Ugandan Court Frees Radical Advocate for Girls’ Health
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) — She’s one medical anthropologist, activist and poet you don’t want to wrestle with. Dr. Stella Nyanzi is apt to say exactly what’s on her mind – even if the object of her verbal dart is the President of Uganda, Yoweri Museveni, or his wife Janet, […]
Murder Charge Against Lesotho Prime Minister to Be Reviewed
By Lisa Vives, Global Information Network NEW YORK (IDN) – Murder charges against the Prime Minister of Lesotho, Thomas Thabane, will be reconsidered in light of a novel appeal for immunity to be heard by the country’s High Court. If his appeal is rejected, Mr. Thabane would be the first African leader to face domestic […]