Profile: Rokia Traor
Rokia Traor Ton Maas | September 2004 issue Across Africa, there is considerable discussion over he question of who is the greatest male vocalist—Youssou N’Dour or perhap Salif Keïta? But when it comes to the greatest female, there is little debate. The young Malinese singer Rokia Read More...
Profile: Strive Masiyiwa
From electrotechnician to mobile magnate. Bram Posthumus | September 2004 issue Nowhere is the market for mobile telephony growing faster than in Africa, which is no surprise. The old-fashioned fixed telephone network barely functions. Particularly in major cities, the only way to reach someone is Read More...
There is not enough africa in computers
Brian Eno - artist, composer, inventor, thinker - spoke to Wired about the meaning of Africa for music and technology. Kevin Kelly | September 2004 issue "Africa is everything that something like classical music isn’t. Classical—perhaps I should say “orchestral”—music is so digital, so Read More...
The world according to ubuntu
'I am because you are.' This widespread African teaching reminds us that you cannot be human alone. Tijn Touber | September 2004 issue The African equivalent to Rene Descartes’s famous dictum, “I think, therefore I am,” which is the foundation of much modern Western culture, is called ubuntu Read More...
Trouble in the townships
Blacks have only gotten poorer since the ANC has been in power in South Africa. Bearing pickaxes and pliers, the poor of South Africa are learning that if they want to rebuild their nation they will have to do it for themselvesPaul Kingsnorth | October 2003 issue A young man in a red T-shirt Read More...