Comments on: My African Year

By: Isabelle Roughol

Isabelle Roughol — Wed, 17 Dec 2008 06:01:19 +0000

If the only good news story we can find about Africa is the presidential election on a different continent of a man whose only tie to Africa is a father he barely knew and relatives he's hardly ever seen, that doesn't say very good things about Africa. Maybe Charlayne Hunter-Gault's book, though not brand new, can inspire you.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:11:45 +0000

These are all good ideas. But are any of them symptomatic of any sort of trend? In previous years I’ve been able to talk about Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf or Wangari Maathai. That’s my problem. I need something big that defines a move in the right direction.

By: patfalc

patfalc — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:06:34 +0000

20 somali doctors, very recently graduated from Benadir university of midicine, are now working in Mogadiscio. That is also a good news.Better than pirates, no ?

link with Irin (in french, sorry) :
http://www.irinnews.org/fr/ReportFrench.aspx?ReportId=81683

tks for your blog.
apologize for my poor english
Patrick

By: Danny

Danny — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 11:17:44 +0000

Not exactly a new phenomenon but how about Ethiopian long/middle distance dominance in Beijing? Tirunesh Dibaba became the first woman ever to win double gold in the 5000m and 10,000m in the Olympics. Kenenisa Bekele also won the men’s 5000m and 10,000m.

By: Mark

Mark — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 09:21:35 +0000

And finally: some very exciting chardonnays coming out of South Africa?

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 08:00:30 +0000

Yep, Malawi is in the mix. Can’t say it will definitely get in but it is one the options now. Thanks

By: Rafiki

Rafiki — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:57:30 +0000

Rob, you could mention something about Malawi's President Bingu Wa Mutharika remarkable display of leadership in securing Malawiâ€s food security.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:32:45 +0000

Incidentally, I didn't mention the general food crisis, which I think will permeate the whole story.

Tech developments? Yes, I like that. But it just reminds me that the last story I did about the fibre optic cable, and how it would turn Kenya into a tech hub, and how it was time to be optimistic etc, was published on Dec 27 last year. A day before the election. And we all know what happened then...

By: Toaf

Toaf — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:28:00 +0000

That’s certainly a positive interpretation of the pirate affair. I reckon you should run with it. If your client knocks it back, then how about progress on female genital cutting over west? Or Malawi’s resurgent agricultural sector? The latter, which Kenya and others are seeking to emulate, could be presented as a signifier of things to come right across the continent in terms of food security issues. Good luck!

By: NN

NN — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 07:27:55 +0000

I think all the developments in African tech, especially here in Kenya, are a real bright spot. The laying of the fiber optic cable, the investments and the increasing govt support for youth innovation here in Kenya, at least, is something to be happy about.

If anyone could list more negatives, it would probably be me. But I'll refrain.