African women blogging this week

Everchanging World speaks out about “street harassment in Lagos“. She believes it is a serious problem and adds “And no it’s not because I was in America and got brainwashed by the feminists” She writes of her experience of going shopping with her sisters to one of Lagos's largest markets, Tejuosho market….

When you walked into the gated area, there would be a line of male traders selling clothes on both sides of the path, and you had to walk through them in order to get to the next section. There would be a lot of them, maybe 20 or more on each side, and they would grab you by the hand and upper arms trying to get you to buy something from them. I found that repulsive, even at the age of 12- 13, without anyone telling me there was something wrong with strange men putting their hands on young girls

Guessarrus uses poetry to weigh up “man v machine” and asks which button we would press to alter our lives?

I definitely know I am not ready for the ‘off’ button
But it would be interesting to have an ‘open in new tab’ one
Exploring different facets while still maintaining the current one
Would rather be interesting to have the ‘Yes, No, Cancel’ option
And I would love to have a ‘mute’ button for other humans
And an ‘exit‘ button for those times when you would rather be elsewhere

Harare Diary meets up with some fellow activists and the chat about their experiences of being arrested in Zimbabwe

Another person at the table said that when she was arrested a couple of years ago she found some used condoms in her cell. When she asked the police what was UP with that, they said what do you expect, prostitutes get locked up here. Which supposedly means that they’re fair game for cops.

Nubian Soul points to Ghanaian writer and broadcaster, Ester Armah who has just published a book ” Can I Be Me” – listen to the audio clip from the book and Soul asks that we

Go to her site and let her know I sent you…
I promise you this will be a brilliant read!

Molara Wood writes on Nigerian highlife maestro Orlando Owoh who is about 70 years old and should by now be relaxing and enjoying the “fruits of his labour”. Not so for Owoh

Orlando Owoh has been out of action for many months, having suffered two strokes in the space of one year. Money for much needed rehabilitation, recuperation and even daily upkeep have is hard to come by. Even as concerned members of the Nigerian Arts Community – roused by the musician's plight – were getting on the starting blocks in an attempt to raise support for the man, they were thrown by the breaking news – that Owoh is now to also cope with bereavement. His wife has just died.

Molara also points to a review of Wole Soyinka newly published memoirs “You Must Set Forth at Dawn”

Start the conversation

Authors, please log in »

Guidelines

  • All comments are reviewed by a moderator. Do not submit your comment more than once or it may be identified as spam.
  • Please treat others with respect. Comments containing hate speech, obscenity, and personal attacks will not be approved.