MOTHERS OF AFRICA

Most of Africa celebrates Mother’s Day today. So, let’s use the occasion to celebrate some very special African mothers: of the nation, of the people, of the environment, of victory. Have a watch. Who inspires you most?

Sources

https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/yaa-asantewaa-mid-1800s-1921/


https://www.greenbeltmovement.org/wangari-maathai


https://theconversation.com/the-legacy-of-iconic-singer-miriam-makeba-and-her-art-of-activism-178230


https://www.dw.com/en/taytu-betul-ethiopias-strategic-empress-african-roots/a-57010781

BOB MARLEY‘S POLITICAL REGGAE: ‘CRAZY BALDHEAD’

Our musical pan-African icon Bob Marley died on this day in 1981 at the tender age of 36. We look back at some of the deeper, political messages behind his songs, taking a deep dive into the lyrics of his revolutionary tune, Crazy Baldhead.

The noscript might make it sound like it's about neo-Nazis and skinheads. But 'baldhead' is actually Rasta slang for colonialists, and the words of the song are about fighting back against their cultural, political and economic grip on the Caribbean. Bob's music and lyrics were motivated by his Pan-African ideals.

Unfortunately, copyright restrictions meant we couldn't include the music, but please go hunt it out in the usual places if you don't know it already!

And, of course, let us know your favourite lines in the comments!

The Sahel is blazing with revolutionary fervor. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger have torched the neo-colonial noscript and rewritten the destiny of their people. Part of the power of their example is the unity they have shown, merging first into an alliance, then into a confederation and, next (if all goes to plan), into a federal pan-African state. Had they stood alone, the flames of resistance might have flickered and gone up in a puff of smoke. Western interests that have benefitted from decades of exploitation might have been able to extinguish the flames currently burning bad resource deals and military agreements. But here we have just three African nations - ‘sticks’ - keeping those flames alive. There are 51 more to add fuel to this anti-imperialist fire! Now imagine when all 54 nations bind, not just in geography, but in purpose. That flame won’t just destroy neocolonialism. It would forge Africa’s true freedom.