Culture

Achebe, Mandela, Thiong’o, Adichie among Obama’s top picks for summer reading

Former President Barack Obama of the United States is visiting Africa this week, and will have stopovers in South Africa and Kenya

Published

6 years ago

July 13, 2018

Africa News Watch

Former President Barack Obama of the United States is visiting Africa this week, and will have stopovers in South Africa and Kenya.

He took to his Facebook handle to announce the impending visit and his love for African culture and literature. In doing so, he picked some of Africa’s top novelists and recommended their works for summer reading. Among these were Nelson Mandela (Long Walk to Freedom ), Chinua Achebe (Things Fall Apart), Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie (Americanah), and Ngugi wa Thiong’o ( A Grain of Wheat).

In Obama’s words:

“This week, I’m traveling to Africa for the first time since I left office – a continent of wonderful diversity, thriving culture, and remarkable stories.

I was proud to visit sub-Saharan Africa more times than any other sitting President, and I’ll return this week to visit Kenya and South Africa.

“In South Africa, the Obama Foundation will convene 200 extraordinary young leaders from across the continent and I’ll deliver a speech to mark the 100th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.

“Kenya, of course, is the Obama ancestral home. I visited for the first time when I was in my twenties and I was profoundly influenced by my experiences – a journey I wrote about in my first book, Dreams from My Father.

“Over the years since, I’ve often drawn inspiration from Africa’s extraordinary literary tradition. As I prepare for this trip, I wanted to share a list of books that I’d recommend for summer reading, including some from a number of Africa’s best writers and thinkers – each of whom illuminate our world in powerful and unique ways.”

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe

“A true classic of world literature, this novel paints a picture of traditional society wrestling with the arrival of foreign influence, from Christian missionaries to British colonialism. A masterpiece that has inspired generations of writers in Nigeria, across Africa, and around the world.”

A Grain of Wheat by Ngugi wa Thiong’o

“A chronicle of the events leading up to Kenya’s independence, and a compelling story of how the transformative events of history weigh on individual lives and relationships.”

Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela

“Mandela’s life was one of the epic stories of the 20th century. This definitive memoir traces the arc of his life from a small village, to his years as a revolutionary, to his long imprisonment, and ultimately his ascension to unifying President, leader, and global icon. Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand history – and then go out and change it.”

Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

“From one of the world’s great contemporary writers comes the story of two Nigerians making their way in the U.S. and the UK, raising universal questions of race and belonging, the overseas experience for the African diaspora, and the search for identity and a home.”

The Return by Hisham Matar

“A beautifully-written memoir that skillfully balances a graceful guide through Libya’s recent history with the author’s dogged quest to find his father who disappeared in Gaddafi’s prisons.”

The World As It Is by Ben Rhodes

“It’s true, Ben does not have African blood running through his veins. But few others so closely see the world through my eyes like he can. Ben’s one of the few who’ve been with me since that first presidential campaign. His memoir is one of the smartest reflections I’ve seen as to how we approached foreign policy, and one of the most compelling stories I’ve seen about what it’s actually like to serve the American people for eight years in the White House.”

Related Topics:Achebe Adichie Kenya Mandela Obama Obama Visits ricafA Obama’s top picks for summer reading South Africa summer reading Thiong’o

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Culture

Two Algerians arrested over alleged murder of Swiss tourist

Published

3 days ago

October 23, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Algerian authorities have arrested two men in connection with the brutal murder of a Swiss tourist who was killed on October 11 while sitting at a cafe in the southern Algerian town of Djanet, a popular desert tourism destination.

The female tourist was reportedly attacked with a knife and had her throat slit by an assailant. She was rushed to a local hospital, but later died from her severe injuries.

According to local Algerian media reports, two suspects who were arrested following the attack have been identified as men from northern Algeria who had arrived in Djanet about six months ago and were dressed in the style of Tuareg nomads.

An online platform which reported on the incident, said the murder occurred on the terrace of the Cafe Skaner in central Djanet, next to the local tourism office.

“The victim was part of a group of five Swiss tourists visiting the area. The other four members of her group have since been evacuated back to Switzerland with assistance from the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

In a statement, the Swiss ministry confirmed it was aware of the violent death of a Swiss citizen on October 11 in the south-east of Algeria, but gave no further details out of respect for the victim’s privacy.

Though Algerian authorities have not yet issued any public comments on the killing, a source familiar with the situation told the French newspaper, Liberation, that “for the moment, it is completely hushed up. Nothing is coming out, even on social networks. On the ground, the watchword is radio silence. Everyone is complying.”

An Algerian diplomat said the murder could deal a significant blow to Algeria’s efforts to boost tourism in the Sahara desert region. Djanet, near the Tassili n’Ajjer National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site, only opened to tourism in 2022 after years of being off-limits due to security concerns.

The town has since become a popular destination, attracting thousands of domestic and foreign visitors with direct flights from Paris.

An investigation into the murder is reportedly underway and security has been tightened around Djanet, including increased military checkpoints and it remains to be seen how Algerian officials will address this high-profile case and whether this will impact the country’s ambitious plans to grow its nascent tourism industry, the platform said.

Culture

Algeria accuses renowned Singer Cheb Khaled of spying for Morocco

Published

5 days ago

October 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Algerian authorities have accused renowned musician, singer and songwriter, Cheb Khaled, of spying for neighbours Morocco as another wave of hostilities brew between the two countries.

Founder of Algerian news outlet, Algeria Par, Al Abdou Semmar, disclosed on his YouTube channel that the military court in Blida, Algeria, hd reportedly forwarded a dossier to the court of Bir Mourad Rais in Algiers, containing serious allegations against the famous artist.

“Cheb Khaled has been friends with Moroccan monarch Mohammed VI for several years,” the journalist said, claiming that Algerian judicial authorities seek to charge Khaled in an alleged espionage case for Morocco.

Semmar further claimed investigations by his news channel has revealed that the singer is suspected and accused of complicity in espionage activities with the Bennacer brothers.

“This refers to the brothers Toufik and Boualem Bennacer, sons of the later General Larbi Bennacer,” the journalist said.

He added that Khaled also faces accusations of “transmitting sensitive information classified as ‘defense secret’ in Algeria to Moroccan authorities.”

“Based in Luxembourg, Cheb Khaled is now wanted by Algerian justice, which wishes to hear him, charge him, and put him on trial,” the journalist said.

He explained that such claims and accusations have come amid the Algerian regime’s hostility towards any party with close ties with Morocco.

“This is not the first time Algeria has arrested individuals and accused them of espionage for Morocco. The latest arrests took place earlier this week in Oran and Sidi Bel Abbès, and involved two Moroccan nationals,’ he said.

Khaled has close ties with Morocco, having performed numerous times in the North African country, where he has millions of Moroccan fans and frequently shares statements expressing his love and passion for Morocco,, referring to it as his second country.

In 2013, he obtained Moroccan citizenship under a royal decree, an act that has repeatedly put him at the heart of controversies among those sharing hostility towards Morocco.