The authoritative electronic weekly newsletter and platform for social
justice in Africa
Pambazuka News (English edition): ISSN 1753-6839
CONTENTS: 1. Features, 2. Announcements, 3. Comment & analysis, 4.
Advocacy & campaigns, 5. Books & arts, 6. Letters & Opinions, 7.
Highlights French edition, 8. Cartoons
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1 Features
WANGARI MAATHAI: RECLAIMING THE EARTH
Horace Campbell
'The best tribute we can pay to this great woman of Africa is to
continue to organise so that we can gain higher levels of spiritual
awareness and build the shared values for peace and social justice
across the planet,' writes Horace Campbell.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76724
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THE TREES WILL CLAP FOR HER
Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011
Nnimmo Bassey
Nigerian environmental activist Nnimmo Bassey remembers the life of
Wangari Maathai, the internationally recognised founder of the Green
Belt Movement, who died on 25 September.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76698
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COMMITTED TO JUSTICE FOR PEOPLE AND PLANET
Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011
Margaretta wa Gacheru
Wangari Maathai 'achieved more in one short lifetime than most people
can even contemplate,' writes Margaretta wa Gacheru, founding 'one of
the most important environmental movements in the world' and
highlighting 'the capacity of African rural women to problem-solve for
the planet'.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76700
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DETERRED BY NOTHING, DISCOURAGED BY NOTHING
Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011
Cyril Ritchie
Cyril Ritchie pays tribute to Wangari Maathai, her 'contagious
enthusiasm' and 'calming stoicism', after 36 years of friendship with
'an outstanding woman'.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76701
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A 'GREAT TREE IN HER LIFETIME'
Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011
Shailja Patel
Wangari Maathai's legacies 'are not just for future generations of
Kenyans – her influence was global. We have lost her far too early,'
writes Shailja Patel.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76737
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'AFRICA HAS LOST A GREAT DAUGHTER'
Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011
Thandika Mkandawire
Wangari Maathai was 'an amazing person', writes Thandika Mkandawire,
relating a story about how Maathai defied the Kenyan government's
attempt to prevent her from attending a 'subversive conference' in
Uganda.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76696
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'WOMEN FOR WHOM NATIONS WILL BE NAMED AND RE-NAMED'
Sokari Ekine
Over the past month, Kenya lost 'two of its most formidable freedom
fighters and justice seekers' – feminist and political activist Wambui
Otieno and environmental activist Wangari Maathai. Sokari Ekine looks
at reactions to the passing away of these women across the continent,
and to the execution of Troy Davis by the US State of Georgia a week
ago.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76726
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CELEBRATING PROFESSOR WANGARI MUTA MAATHAI
1940-2011
Odhiambo Orlale
'As we battle climate change, let us remember this remarkable woman
who saw in the environmental disasters that engulf us an opportunity
for the empowerment of women and the chance to promote peace in the
world. We celebrate Maathai for advocating a better Africa and a
better world,' writes Odhiambo Orlale.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76735
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MOTHER NATURE MOURNS YOUR LOSS
Tribute to Prof. Wangari Maathai
David Njihia Mwakodi
In the night of death
Our nightingale took her last breath
Hope saw a star shinning
Listening love heard the rustle of a wing
A golden heart stopped beating
And hardworking hands went to rest...
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76728
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REMEMBERING WANGARI
Bayo Akomolafe
'Just before the stars sing, just before the childish wave wanes/You
will plant another seed in the distance, another tree, another
universe gained.' Bayo Akomolafe remembers Wangari Maathai.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76675
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THE BEST DOCTOR FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
Wangari Muta Maathai, 1940-2011
Philo Ikonya
Kenya human rights activist and author Philo Ikonya shares an
interview ( http://bit.ly/rb4Fws ) she gave to TV2Africa following the
death of Wangari Muta Maathai in Nairobi after a long struggle with
cancer.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76738
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WANGARI MAATHAI: UNBOWED AND UNBEATEN TILL THE END
My tribute to a feisty and courageous woman
Rasna Warah
Professor Maathai was a celebrated environmentalist, but what was
equally remarkable about her was 'her open defiance of outdated, male
chauvinistic, neo-colonial and repressive attitudes and traditions'
that hindered not just women, but Kenya as a whole, writes Rasna
Warah.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76729
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GAY KENYA PAYS TRIBUTE TO PROF. WANGARI MAATHAI
Gay Kenya
Wangari Maathai was 'very passionate about Human Rights' as well as
the environment, and was extremely supportive of Gay Kenya in its
early days, the organisation recalls.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76750
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WANGARI MUTA MATHAAI: SHARE YOUR CONDOLENCES
http://wangari.greenbeltmovement.org/
If you would like to write a tribute or read and share tributes to
Wangari Maathai, this site ( http://wangari.greenbeltmovement.org )
was setup by the Greenbelt Movement in her honour.
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CARTELS CHAINING THE GLOBAL FOOD AGENDA
'BOP'ping the hungry
Carol Thompson
With their eyes firmly on the money making potential of the bottom of
the pyramid (BOP) global food market, profit-seeking corporates punt
food security through the enhancement of the global food value chain.
But, writes Carol Thompson, this avoids distinguishing who is 'valued'
and who is 'chained'.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76694
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HURRY UP BEFORE THE SUN SETS…
Imrann Moosa
Monday, 12 September marked 34 years since the assassination of South
African black consciousness leader Steve Biko. Imrann Moosa remembers
his legacy.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76695
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THE AU, THE OAU AND THE UNESCO-OBIANG PRIZE
Tutu Alicante
Under pressure from campaigners, UNESCO last year rightly shelved a
prize for research in the life sciences funded by Equatorial Guinea's
president of 32 years, the despotic Teodoro Obiang. Given Obiang's
poor human rights record, why are African governments suddenly so
eager to resuscitate the award, asks Tutu Alicante.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76727
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ZIMBABWE: A TALE OF TWO CHINAS
Khadija Sharife
Khadija Sharife takes a closer look at the involvement of key players
in Zanu PF's Mugabe faction in a diamond-mining venture between the
Zimbabwean government and Chinese company, Anhui Foreign Economic
Construction Co. Ltd.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76739
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THE TIES THAT BIND: CHINA, ANGOLA AND ZIMBABWE
Khadija Sharife
Khadija Sharife takes a look at the links between Hong-Kong-based
private entity China International Fund, Angola's state oil company
Sonangol and Zimbabwe's diamond fields.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76740
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CAN GHANA AFFORD TO PAY THE SAME PRICE AS PAKISTAN?
Cameron Duodu
'Mention South Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, and those with good
memories can attest to the lesson of history, which is that if you
want to remain friendly with the USA, keep its military at arm's
length.' So why would Ghana risk souring its relationship with the US,
as Pakistan has already done, by allowing it to use Ghanaian territory
for military purposes, asks Cameron Duodu.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76748
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THE NEW SCRAMBLE FOR AFRICA
Conn Hallinan
Hallinan traces current US foreign policy in Africa, including
military intervention, to a proposal made eight years ago by a
conservative think tank. Africa's vast natural and mineral resources
make the continent strategically important to the West.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76730
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THE SECRETARY-GENERAL WHO STOOD UP FOR THE UN
John Y. Jones
The fears that former UN secretary-general Dag Hammarskjöld expressed
50 years ago about the negative impact that the OECD's Development
Assistance Committee would have on the UN and the African continent
have turned out to be prescient, writes John Y. Jones.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/features/76704
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2 Announcements
DEAR MANDELA – THE STRUGGLE FOR DIGNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR SOUTH
AFRICA'S SHACK DWELLERS
Please join Amnesty International and War on Want to hear about the
remarkable work of Abahlali baseMjondolo ('people of the shacks'), a
movement campaigning for the rights of many thousands of South
Africans living without access to adequate housing and at risk of
forced evictions.
The evening includes a a screening of the 20 minute short version of
the film, Dear Mandela, the story of the emergence of Abahlali, its
courageous response to the numerous challenges it has faced and its
campaign against forced evictions, which led to the constitutional
court victory in 2009.
VENUE: Human Rights Action Centre, 17 - 25 New Inn Yard, EC2A 3EA
DATE AND TIME: Friday 7 October 2011 at 6:30 p.m.
CONTACT: Caroline Elliot, War on Want CElliot[at]waronwant.org -
CElliot@waronwant.org
Attn Africa Programme, Amnesty International, amnestyis[at]amnesty.org
- amnestyis@amnesty.org
PRICE: FREE
BOOKING: book your space here ( http://bit.ly/mUtG4A ) .
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/Announce/76673
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FAHAMU CALL FOR RESEARCH PROPOSALS
Comparative African perspectives on China and other emerging powers in Africa
China's deepening engagement with Africa is receiving increased
attention from the global media, the public and private sectors and
academic research. This should not however overshadow the activities
of other emerging powers in Africa, including India, Brazil and the
Gulf states. This call therefore seeks to develop African perspectives
in the discourse surrounding the engagement between Africa and these
emerging powers. Deadline for receiving applications: 12 October 2011.
For further details please download information here (
http://www.fahamu.org/Fahamucallforresearchproposals2011-final.pdf ) .
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3 Comment & analysis
MAKING THE CASE FOR DIGITAL ACTIVISM
Jessica Ann Mitchell
Although Troy Davis was killed despite massive protests online,
digital activism raised public awareness of racism and oppression in
the US state of Georgia, writes Jessica Ann Mitchell. This case and
others show that indeed digital activism works.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/comment/76731
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4 Advocacy & campaigns
SPECIAL DECLARATION OF THE ALBA-TCP FOREIGN MINISTERS ON THE SITUATION
OF LIBYA AND SYRIA
Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America
The Foreign Ministers of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of
Our America has issued a statement condemning 'the NATO intervention
in Libya and its illegal military aggression, carried out under the
cover of a UN Security Council resolution, opportunistically
exploiting the situation of the internal political conflict in that
country.'
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/76749
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OXFAM WARNS OF LAND GRAB DANGERS
Celsias
Oxfam today launched a major new report, Land and Power (
http://oxf.am/4bB ) , to highlight the growing pace of large-scale
land deals abroad, often brokered at the expense of poor communities
that lose homes and livelihoods - sometimes violently - with no prior
consultation, compensation or means of appeal.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/76733
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BY CONDEMNING PEOPLE WHO OCCUPY LAND, CITY OF CAPE TOWN CONDEMNS THE POOR
Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign
Following the City of Cape Town's demolition of over 100 structures at
Kraalfontein that had been erected by backyarders on an unused piece
of land, the Western Cape Anti-Eviction Campaign has issued a
statement calling on the City to support rather than condemn the poor.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/advocacy/76674
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5 Books & arts
BRAZIL'S COTTON PROJECT: ALTERNATIVES DO SUCCEED
Review of 'Cotton, Computers and Citizenship'
David Sogge
'For students and practitioners of hands-on development efforts, this
handsomely designed and clearly written book merits attention as an
illustration of what is possible, indeed what may be better done,
outside the foreign aid system and its exhausted orthodoxies,' writes
David Sogge.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/76703
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WE GOT RID OF THE DICTATOR, NOT DICTATORSHIP
Review of 'Defeating dictators: Fighting Tyranny in Africa and Around the World'
Peter Wuteh Vakunta
Peter Wuteh Vakunta seems convinced that George B. N. Ayittey has
written 'a blueprint for oppositional militancy, a veritable modus
operandi for undoing dictators in the contemporary world'. He thinks
it is a must read for every student of African politics.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/books/76732
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6 Letters & Opinions
THANK YOU FOR YOUR TRIBUTES TO MAMA
Elizabeth SW Otieno
Warm greetings to you and all at Pambazuka. Thank you for your
tributes to Mama ( http://www.pambazuka.org/en/issue/549 ) [Wambui
Otieno]. Her life and times is in our memories as a true daughter of
Kenya. She lived life large, resourcefully and courageously.
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7 African Writers' Corner
DEKHA, WAMBUI, WANGARI
(inspired by Wambui Mwangi)
Shailja Patel
the greedy old men
vampires
live forever
the women who restore
rebuild replant
remake
die in their fullness...
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/African_Writers/76751
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Highlights French edition
PAMBAZUKA NEWS 206: AFRICA IN THE FACE OF WESTERN DOMINATION
An appeal to the European and North American intelligentsia against
the attack on the African peoples
Prince Kum'a Ndumbe III
Since the invasion of Iraq, the West has given us daily proof that it
is neither interested in the common destiny of humanity nor in
dialogue between peoples. Its only concern is absolute global
dominance – military, financial, cultural and intellectual. Prince
Kum'a Ndumbe 111 thinks, the NATO imposed war against Libya is just
one more episode in the scramble for Africa.
http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76630
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The funding of research and alleged scientific dialogue
Prince Kum'a Ndumbe III
It is time for Africa to rearm itself in the face of the various
attacks being unleashed against it by Western military powers. A key
area is sovereignty over the use of its natural resources and wealth.
The struggle, argues Prince Kum'a Ndumbe III, begins with the
restoration and reaffirmation of our collective memories.
http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76629
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For the creation of a Palestinian state
Hugo Chavez
Though he was absent at the UN General Assembly during which Mahmood
Abbas made his historic call for the recognition of the Palestinian
state, Venezuelan leader Hugo Chavez extended strong support for the
initiative. In a letter to the UN Secretary General, he described it
as "an act of historic justice towards a people who carry with them,
from time immemorial, all the pain and suffering in the world.
http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76628
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Egypt – Time for the peoples revolution to open the Rafah Crossing!
Haidar Eid
Israel has not only colonised the territories, writes Haidar Eid, but
it has also taken control of the "Palestinian narrative and history"
and confiscated international law. The Rafah crossing, like the birth
of the Palestinian state, is testimony to the injustices that continue
to be inflicted on the people.
http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76632
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A salutary democratic revolution in the Arab world or the first major
social crisis of globalisation?
Patrice Allard
Whether they are called the Arab Spring or 'salutary revolutions', the
uprisings that have shaken the Arab world and ousted some dictatorial
regimes appear to herald the dawn of a new day. But fundamental
questions remain behind what the West describes as the opening of a
new chapter.
http://www.pambazuka.org/fr/category/features/76635
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8 Cartoons
MAMA WANGARI MAATHAI
1940-2011
Gado
Wangari Maathai remembered.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/76672
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GIVING AFRICAN STRONG MEN A BAD NAME!
Gado
Zambia's Banda lets the side down...
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/76670
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CLINGING ON TO POWER, AFRICAN STYLE
Gado
Looking for a role model? Take your pick.
http://www.pambazuka.org/en/category/cartoons/76671
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