The Goethe-Institut, in co-operation with the Cape Town Book Fair and APNET, is once again offering an invitation programme for publishers from sub-Saharan African countries. The aim of this initiative is to support the participation of publishing houses from sub-Saharan African countries at the Cape Town Book Fair 2012 and to provide training and networking opportunities for publishers from this region. The grant comprises of travel costs to Cape Town, participation in a workshop on 14 June 2012, a small stand at the Cape Town Book Fair (15 – 17 June 2012) and accommodation during the workshop and the Book Fair. Costs for the transportation of books and other materials to be exhibited are not covered.

The event entices filmmakers to enhance skills, develop collaborations and interface with the dynamic future of the film industry in Africa and the world.

The collection of spirited essays issues a trenchant and timely challenge to the widespread assumption that the Arab Spring can be understood in splendid isolation from the rest of Africa.

Egypt has declared three days of mourning for at least 74 people who died at a football stadium amid violent clashes between rival supporters in the northern city of Port Said. Earlier, Essam el-Erian, a politician from the Muslim Brotherhood's Freedom and Justice party, said the military and police were complicit in the violence, accusing them of trying to show that emergency regulations giving security forces wide-ranging powers must be maintained.

Here's a video from a group called Tidal Waves entitled Rapolitiki (The politician ate the money).

Africa Cup of Nations a tribute to President Nguema?

Many Kenyans are heading to the new Republic of South Sudan as investors.

The International Criminal Court has confirmed charges against four of the six Kenyans suspected of masterminding the post-election violence of 2007/8.

He changed our flag,
With cavalier insouciance,
He stood proudly to brag
While we gaped in stunned trance,
Like a rampant stag,
It was the height of arrogance,

He changes our laws with seeming impunity;
He twists them to suit his ends,
He changes the equation with intractability,
While his puppets amend;
We regress inexorably;
While sycophants defend;

He calls us stupid and drunk,
He's on a power trip,
He’s bitten off a hunk,
His mind has flipped
He's so full of spunk,
He's got a shoulder on his chip;

Absolute power carries great responsibility,
The wielder must beware the craze,
Lest he fall prey to hubristic gravity,
And stumble into an egocentric maze,
Lose touch with reality;
In a narcissistic daze;

He’s the quintessential power tripper,
And it ain’t no joke,
He’s an asset stripper,
A pig in a poke,
He’s an insatiable beak dipper
Never seems to choke,
He’s an illogical skipper,
We’re headed for broke.

The journey Betty Makoni has travelled leaves permanent and visible footsteps. Her poetry book takes a new approach to self-empowerment. Easy to read and yet very powerful for reflection.

jousts with the ruling ideas in society - or public history - to stimulate a re-think of Africans’ predicament and an understanding of its historical causes, and to encourage positive action to rectify current abuses.

This collection of essays take a broader perspective beyond oil to look at the impact of the sector and of Asian partners on the rest of Sudan’s economy, society and politics.

Gado thinks recent protests in Nigeria prove that the president may have run out of luck.

A new book documents the struggle for democracy in Swaziland in the past year, highlighting the historic 12 April protests in the absolute monarchy in southern Africa.

Kenya's Deputy Chief Justice Nancy Baraza is under investigation by the judiciary and police after a guard at a supermarket in Nairobi claimed that the judge threatened to shoot her when she (the guard) requested to search Baraza before she could be allowed into the store.

Gado's take on the celebrated Senegalese musician's announcement that he will run for president in elections this year.

Harare’s iconic music and performing arts centre will close its doors to the public in Fife Avenue Shopping Mall. It will be moved to new premises.

Set on fire on 17 December, the Egyptian Scientific Institute was another casualty of last week’s clashes between the military and protestors in Cairo. Lillian Boctor

The Global Campaign 'Violence Is Not Our Culture' has launched a new website, with a variety of new features aimed at making it a hub of information and knowledge on gender based discrimination and violence. 'We want this site to be informative, attractive, and easy to use for readers around the world so that it can stand as a resource to advocates, reporters, and decision-makers, as well as to the general public.'

This multimedia presentation looks at the rich and deep history of music in Kenya. Although modern music faces some criticism from traditionalists, the art form is evolving, and new, talented artists are emerging and changing the face of music here.