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

5 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

MohBad: Police arrests, detains Naira Marley over death of Afropop star

Published

10 hours ago

October 4, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Operatives of the Nigerian police in Lagos have arrested and detained singer and label owner, Azeez Fashola,
also known as Naira Marley, in connection with the “suspicious” death of his former signee, Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as MohBad.

The arrest of Naira Marley was confirmed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, who said it was in line with the avowed determination of the force to get to the root of the mysterious death of the 27-year-old MohBad who died on September 12.

Hundeyin, who made the announcement on his X account, said Naira Marley, who owns Marlin Record where MohBad was signed to before they had a fallout, was one of the persons of interest in the investigation.

“Azeez Fashola aka Naira Marley has been taken into custody for interrogation and other investigation activities,” Hundeyin’s tweet said.

Before his arrest, Naira Marley, who was out of the country at the time of the death of MohBad, had vowed to return to Nigeria to clear his name and help the probe into his former signee’s demise.

“I’d like to share that I’ve just arrived back in Lagos, Nigeria to assist the authorities with the ongoing investigation,” he tweeted on arrival on Tuesday.

“It’s important I do my part for Imole. I’ll be meeting with the police with hopes for the truth to be uncovered and for justice to prevail.”

The Afropop music star’s death has continued to throw up lots of controversies, sparking widespread protests and speculations.

The demise and hurried burial of the talented young artiste had seen protests in several Nigerian cities, prompting the Lagos State government to invite the police and operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to open an investigation into his death, with the first action being the exhumation of his body for an autopsy.

The suspicious circumstances surrounding his death also led to a trending hashtag, #justiceformohbad on social media platforms, while many Nigerians have called for an investigation into the death of the music star.

Others have also called for the arrest and prosecution of his former mentor, Naira Marley, with whom MohBad said he had a public feud following his departure from Marlian Records last year.

Culture

Netflix documentary sheds light on 30-year-old Zimbabwe school mystery

Published

1 day ago

October 3, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

A recently released Netflix documentary titled “Encounters” has shed new light on a 30-year-old school mystery that occurred in Zimbabwe in 1994.

The extraordinary event happened in a school in the southern African country where over 60 children claimed to have seen strange beings and a Unidentified Flying Object (UFO) that landed near their playground.

The schoolchildren had described the beings as having large heads, big eyes, and wearing tight black suits, adding that they felt a telepathic communication from them, warning them about the dangers of technology and the future of the planet.

According to reports, the accounts of the students were met with scepticism and disbelief at the time, but the Netflix documentary has more or less corroborated the astonishing encounter, just as the witnesses who are all adults now have continued to maintain their stories.

The new documentary has now given them a chance to share their memories and feelings about what they saw and how it affected their lives.

The documentary, according to movie aficionados, is a groundbreaking move for Zimbabwe as the world is now set to witness the “mysterious and awe-inspiring encounters that unfolded in 1994 through the lens of a captivating Netflix documentary titled ‘Encounters.’”

“This unique film not only delves into the unexplained phenomenon that occurred at a Zimbabwean school but also showcases the nation’s rich cultural tapestry and the resilience of its people,” a media platform in the country wrote in a review of the documentary.

“Now, almost 30 years later, the Netflix documentary titled ‘Encounters’ revisits this remarkable event and tracks down the witnesses, who are now adults living in different parts of the world,” the platform wrote.

“The documentary gives them a chance to share their memories and feelings about what they saw and how it affected their lives. The film also explores the broader context of the phenomenon, featuring other cases of close encounters from around the world and interviews with experts and researchers.

“The documentary is a groundbreaking achievement for Zimbabwe, as it is the first of its kind to focus on such an event in the country. It is also a rare opportunity for the world to hear the voices of Zimbabweans who have a unique and compelling story to tell.

“The film challenges the stereotypes and prejudices that often surround Zimbabwe and its people, and invites viewers to see them in a new light. The documentary is not just a mere exploration of the paranormal but also a testament to the resilience and spirit of Zimbabwe.

“It paints a vivid picture of a nation that embraces its past, no matter how unconventional, and allows its citizens to tell their stories without fear of ridicule.

“Thanks to ‘Encounters,’ the witnesses have been tracked down and given the opportunity to revisit those perplexing moments. Their stories are now being shared with a global audience, shedding light on an event that left an indelible mark on their lives,” it added.