Farewell to Africa- For the Moment

I just wanted to say farewell for the moment to this African class. It has ben a fun journey.  Since I posted my final required post last week,  I just wanted to use this blog to wish you all great success!

My African Experience In Class

I thoroughly enjoyed this class. The most valuable thing that I learned was that Africa is a richly varied country. The most valuable lesson that I have learned was yhe historical events that led up to the country that it is today.

The only thing that I wish I could have done differntly was to interview a native African to get additional insight on each assignment. It would have been a great opportunity to hear about the daily life of a person from such a great countey.

I actually learned more than expected in this class. I was hesitant at first because I thought it would be boring. This was totally not the case. I stayed captivated the entire twelve weeks.

I would recommend this class to anyone wanting to know more about Africa. I wish there was a part two.

Valentines Day in Africa

Africa does not celebrate Valentines Day, except for the urban families in Africa. However,  Africa contributes to America's Valentine Day every year. They send over 70% of cocoa to the United States in order to make a number of foods that includes chocolate for lover's day.

And let's not forget about flowers. Ethiopia export flowers to the United States and they went from making less than 1 million dollars to 190 million dollars exporting flowers to United States.

Africa plays a part in this huge day for Westerners every year. Let's remember them each time we celebrate Africa.

Journalists Beaten by Kenyan Police

Two journalists were attacked on January 20, 2013 while trying to capture coverage of a riot in Kibera.

One journalist was hit in the head and held by officers while his fellow colleague was beaten badly. The police confiscated the memory card and damaged the journalist camera.

Both journalists followed procedure by presenting themselves to the officers and showing their press cards.

Both men are in the hospital for treatment and the incident is being investigated.

Happy New Years in Africa

It is said that the best place to party in Africa is in South Africa. They have huge parties that include fireworks, music and dancing. It is a celebration that everyone partakes in.

After the party, everyone gets prepared for the carnival known as the Minstrel Carnival. This carnival dates back to the 19th century when slaves in Cape Town Africa were only allowed to be off on one day and that was January 1.

Those that engage paint their faces white (as opposed to black) and they put on costumes and sing songs and listen to the banjo players.

Rather than focus on the slavery aspect, they use this carnival to celebrate life and a new year.

Africa At Christmastime

I thought that it would be interesting to look into how Africa celebrates the most wonderful time of the year (according to us Westerners). What I found out is that Christmas is celebrated similar to the way we celebrate it. The only difference is that it is not commercially celebrated. The market here makes sure to offer all the glitz and glamor of materialistic things in order to make Christmas a fantasy as well as a money making opportunity. In Africa, they focus on the love and family unity even though some may engage in purchasing a plastic tree or inflatable Santa. They enjoy singing carols and attending church during Christmas.

Africans also use this time to exchange gifts (those who can afford to do so). Mostly, the gifts that are given are books for school, clothes and shoes. They also make it a point to purchase a new outfit to wear to church on Christmas if they can. Children are not given toys like the kids here. There are not toy stores there like they are here.  They are proud and happy to receive the much needed school supplies etc..

Christmas dinner is a huge celebration that is held after church. They engage in barbeque's (goat meat is a favorite), okra soup, tea, beef, biscuits and Liberian rice.

The list can go on and on about the African Christmas and the way that they celebrate but this is just a quick overview of what goes on at that time.


Merry Christmas!
Ghana says Afishapa (Merry Christmas)
Zimbabwe says Merry Kisimusi (Merry Christmas)

Rubber Bullets Fired In South Africa

This past Thursday, December 20, 2012, the South African police fired rubber bullets into a crowd of hundreds of gold mine workers.  Harmony Gold, a company in Johannesburg, suspended over 600 gold mine workers only days prior to the shooting. The workers were on strike do to poor working conditions and extremely low wages.

The protest Thursday was triggered due to the fact that the African National Congress decided to agree with the windfall tax on the profits of the mining companies. The ANC also re elected Jacob Zuma as its leader in hopes of attracting strong and promising investors as well as reach out to unions that will increase the benefits of the mine workers.