Mali’s path to democracy is looking increasingly rocky, after its interim President, Dioncounda Traoré, was assaulted in his Bamako headquarters by supporters of the former putsch leader, Captain Sanogo. In the country’s North, Islamists are also trying to lay down the law. Next, weary of being a poster-child for an African war, Sierra Leone is working hard to bring back tourists. Finally, an exhibit here in Paris pays tribute to an often forgotten episode of Madagascar's history.
A South African court on Tuesday found black farmworker Chris Mahlangu guilty of murdering white supremacist Eugene Terre'blanche, but said the motive was a wage dispute, not political belief. A second suspect was found guilty of housebreaking.
Seven men appeared in a South African court Thursday for gang-raping a mentally handicapped 17-year old girl and using a cell phone camera to video the act, touching a raw nerve in a country where over 180 sexual assaults take place daily.
The issue of positive discrimination in South Africa's universities is a complex one. The University of Cape Town is at the centre of the debate, with some arguing that there aren't enough black students and others saying the measures are unfair. The general consensus seems to be that improvements have been made since independence 18 years ago, but the topic of giving a helping hand to disadvantaged South Africans is far from black and white.
The international community is in uproar over another coup d'etat in Guinea Bissau. On top of its political problems, the country has also become a hotbed for drug trafficking. Next, a rare glimpse behind closed doors at negotiations for the new government of Mali. Finally, the return of a legend as South Africa’s Nobel laureate, Nadine Gordimer, releases her first book in seven years.
When does a "harmless" drink before dinner become a "harmful" addiction? This week we take a closer look at the curse of alcoholism and efforts to curb its impact.
Giving birth in South Africa is becoming a matter of life and death. In the past 20 years, the number of women dying in childbirth has increased fourfold. But people have had enough. In their own small way, lawyers, civil servants and simple workers are raising awareness and driving change.
In today’s show, we discover the play that chronicles South Africa's transition from apartheid, based on Nobel Prize winner JM Coetzee's "Disgrace". But first, Paris goes manga mad, and we check out "A Simple Song" from the American indie band, The Shins.
Congo mourns almost 250 people who died in last weekend's explosion in an arms depot. Next, Kenyan and Ethiopian troops are moving in to help fight rebels in Somalia. Our special report shows many locals still live in fear, even after al-Shabab is fought off. Also, we look at the rise and fall of South Africa's Julius Malema, from kingmaker to an unceremonious exit from the ANC. Finally, we meet the 85-year-old Nigerian icon of highlife music, Fatai Rolling Dollar.
South Africa's ruling ANC expelled youth leader Julius Malema from its ranks on Wednesday, saying he had divided the party and failed to follow rules. Malema is known for his controversial calls to nationalise mining and seize farms owned by Whites.
