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Ghana’s first photo festival opens in Accra

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Ghana’s first photo festival has opened in Accra. Beginning September 12, it would last till the 21st of the same month.

“We do not need to specifically just focus on changing stereotypes of what being African is through our visual storytelling; I think that’s an additional burden that other artists from other continents are not expected to subscribe to. I do think that through our visual storytelling, whatever theme we choose, and the quality of our work, we already do so much to challenge external perceptions of the African continent,” says Ngadi Smart, one of the image-makers whose work will feature in the exhibition, Foreseen: New Narratives from the African Photojournalism Database.

It’s just one of the shows in the forthcoming Nuku Photo Festival Ghana, the first event of its kind in the country. Featuring exhibitions, a conference, a portfolio review, and networking events, Nuku Photo Festival Ghana aims to “create a space for artistic explorations and exchanges”, according to the festival founder Nii Obodai. “For this first edition, we have curated a diverse programme in cooperation with local and international partners that showcases the works of 40 both established and up-and-coming photographers and visual artists.”

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The Foreseen show gathers work by 13 emerging African visual storytellers, for example, gathered from the African Photojournalism Database – a project of the World Press Photo Foundation and Everyday Africa. “At the core of the APJD is the mission to celebrate refreshing and diverse stories told by photographers often overlooked by the global media industry – stories that are not widely seen in the current, exclusive media landscape,” reads the press for the event.

“Offering reimagined visual narratives from across the African continent, ‘Foreseen’ explores themes such as tradition, religion, identity, history, memory and daily life. This collection of work celebrates a new generation of photographers who are redefining what should be seen, and how, through the stories that matter to them.”

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South African amputee dancer, Musa Motha dazzles at ‘Britain’s Got Talent’

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South African amputee dancer, Musa Motha has entered the history books at the “Britain’s Got Talent” reality show after leaving the judges and audience in emotional tangles with his highly emotional contemporary dance piece.

The 27-year-old Motha, who had his left leg amputated as a young boy after he suffered from cancer, danced his way into the hearts of the judges and audience.

It was goosebumps and tears as the South African amputee made his way into the semi-finals at the “Britain’s Got Talent” auditions
show after the audience demanded he got a Golden Buzzer.

The electrifying dancer performed a four-minute piece to “Runnin’ (Lose It All)”, featuring Beyoncé and Arrow Benjamin and it was enough for the judges and audience.

Motha m, who moved to London from his native Sebokeng in South Africa few years ago, was highly praised by judges, Bruno Tonioli, Alesha Dixon, Amanda Holden, and Simon Cowell, who had glowing words for him after making the semi-finals.

The judges’ attempts to comment on his performance were inaudible as the crowd continued to cheer and demand a Golden Buzzer.

At that juncture, all four judges pushed the buzzer together, showering an emotional Motha with golden confetti before they went to the stage to congratulate him.

While congratulating Motha, Cowell said:

“That was one of the most amazing things I’ve ever seen in all the years I’ve done this show.”

Speaking after the rapturous applause, Motha said that he used to play soccer before he was diagnosed with cancer and subsequently lost his leg.

He then fell in love with music and his friends taught him how to dance, using his crutch in the place of his amputated leg.

“I asked my friends to teach me to dance. I use my crutches as my left leg in dance,” he said.

“I was diagnosed with cancer when I was young, which led to my leg getting amputated. This is a perfect time for me to reach out and inspire more people.

“I’m a true believer and example of breaking the word ‘impossible’ into to ‘I am possible’. I thank you so much.”

Watch the video here:

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Egyptian archaeologists discover ancient human, animal embalming workshops

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Egyptian archaeologists
have announced the discoveries of ancient human and animal embalming workshops at the Saqqara necropolis in the south of Cairo.

Head of Egypt’s Supreme Council of Antiquities, Mostafa Waziri, who made the disclosure on Saturday, said the new discoveries included two human and animal embalming workshops, as well as the tombs of two priests.

“We found two big workshops, one for human and then used in mummifying animals, while the second workshop is for humans only, we found also beds, mummification tools, and materials,” Waziri said.

“During the excavation we also found a tomb that belonged to Ne Hesut Ba, a priest who served in the fifth dynasty of the old kingdom, 4,500 years ago.”

The Supreme Council of Antiquities recently unveiled a string of major archaeological discoveries which Waziri said were key components of Egypt’s attempts to revive its vital tourism industry.

Mohamed Youssef, the Director of the Saqqara Archaeological site, who also spoke on the discoveries, said it was the first of such discoveries.

“This is the first time we discovered embalming workshops in Saqqara, associated with the temples.

“All the previous embalming workshops were related to Apis, the old Egyptian God of fertility and death, in Memphis which is part of Giza governorate now.

“That means it is an important discovery to have found embalming workshops here in Saqqara.

“We also found many statues representing the masterpieces of the art in the old kingdom which date back 4,500 years, and we also discovered antiquities and pieces dating back 3,300 years that represent the new kingdom, plus some jewellery and accessories.

“Also, we found cheese made by ancient Egyptians who used to store it in pottery jars and put it behind the dead.”

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