A top Zimbabwean poet, novelist and essayist says the practice of branding men ‘fathers of’ certain exploits is dangerous and can contaminate the minds of the world’s men and boys, entrenching patriarchy in the process

The Kenya government’s frenetic and wasteful sorties to the UN and AU trying to stop the ICC cases against President Uhuru Kenyatta and his deputy William Ruto show, if proof were needed, just how easy it is to be busy without being productive

Although the recent forum on Africa in Ottawa did not solve all the issues surrounding foreign natural resource extraction in one sitting, it did get policy-makers listening, which is the first step to bringing about meaningful policy change

'I would like to see you make enough of a recovery to flirt with a nurse, shout at a doctor, condemn the ANC for tolerating incompetence and fostering corruption, and send the journalists sloping back to their lairs thinking it’s another false alarm. Then, quite unexpectedly, you go off to heaven to organise an armed uprising against the tyranny of God'

As we celebrate the 23rd edition of the Day of the African Child (DAC), it is fitting to consider how to ensure better protection for the African child in view of new and emerging harmful social and cultural practices hampering their development.

In recent years, the United States has increasingly been sidelined in areas of deep economic transformation in Africa because US engagement with Africa has been primarily through militarism and military relations. The current visit of US President Barack Obama to Africa should be viewed against this background.

Many museums in Europe and America are facing a financial crisis and from recent reports, it would not be unreasonable to assume that they may be tempted to sell, loan, transfer, or exchange African artefacts they are illegally holding, such as the Benin bronzes without anybody taking much notice

Post-conflict reconstruction in Liberia has primarily focused on building state structures at the expense of solidifying national cohesion. The author contends that in this context the proposed dual citizenship legislation should undergo national deliberations, beginning with the Liberia Rising 2030 consultations

Walter was an institution. He left a huge shadow on the left, on the African left, and in Tanzania itself. His own learning and foundation were laid in the east African nation

The current US-Taliban talks now remove any pretexts Kagame and Museveni might have not to talk to the FDLR and to the LRA, respectively. Tanzanian President, Jakaya Kikwete’s proposal for talks involving all parties in the Great Lakes region to find a permanent political solution to the problems of the region must be urgently heeded

The biggest problem facing African youth today is not a lack of opportunity, or poverty, or whatever. Our biggest problem from where I stand is our inability to see ourselves with unfiltered honesty and a raw love

Will the much-vaunted new Constitution change the dismal fortunes of the youth for the better? It provides that the State shall take measures to ensure that the youth have access to relevant education and training; are accorded an opportunity to be represented and participate in political, social and other spheres of life; have access to employment and are protected from harmful cultural practices and exploitation

Anyone who has aspirations of becoming a president or prime minister in their country has a steep hill to climb. The liberators/revolutionaries are still sitting pretty and in some cases claim they still have years to go

Africa is moving forward and with it are young, bright and innovative people who are positioning themselves to take a creative, critical and concrete role in its development. Young Africans in the continent and the diaspora can play a crucial role in shaping the future

While it is key that youth who are vulnerable and marginalized are protected, brought to the mainstream and essentially empowered, it is also important to locate the assets within the youth body and create an enabling environment for their participation

There are many contemporary questions regarding emancipation, transformation, unity, and rights for which today’s youth must seek answers, taking inspiration from the gallant struggles of previous generations

All over the globe young people face similar and dissimilar problems: issues of oppression, economic, political and social injustice in various manifestations. They must globally mobilise with other progressive forces to transform not only their own lives but their own societies and the world

The Soweto student protests in 1976 marked the high point of youth revolt against the oppression of the apartheid regime. Today, young people in independent South Africa face new enemies arising from poverty and lack of access to opportunities necessary for a dignified life

The Malawi Young Pioneers Movement, which unfortunately became a terror militia to prop up the Banda regime, should be revisited by the Malawi government with the goal of involving youth in the county’s development

The question of whether or not Malawi should start considering the feasibility of providing free secondary school education is really one of whether or not Malawi should consider strengthening its human capital