Culture

Angolans celebrate return of Luanda Carnival after long absence

Published

2 years ago

February 23, 2023

Thousands of Angolan revellers on Wednesday, trooped into the streets of the capital Luanda, to celebrate the return of the popular “Luanda Carnival” after a long absence induced by the Coronavirus pandemic.

The Carnival which is marked with colourful dances and attires, is one of the epic shows in the country that entices Angolans to dance.

The Carnival which is laced with its own Sambadrome, is always a delight with massive parades attended by eminent personalities in the country and stands up to its name as the greatest festival in Angola with its colorful celebration, libations, national holiday, and Brazilian-style event, according to the organizers.

One of the revellers, Paulino Rocha, who has been a commander of a group called the ‘Kilamba Union’ for several years, said the return of the Carnival was worth celebrating.

“We’re here to do exactly what’s best to do, that is to say, to dance the carnival and show how the União de Recreativo de Kilamba group has come with innovation to tell the truth.

“We do not run away from our cultural identity, because of this our repetition will be Angola traditions and memories.”

“Now in 2023, we are here with a lot of strength, a lot of determination, giving the maximum, and I ask that those responsible take into account those who work and, above all, respect the work we do, because it is a bit too much work if we cannot come to dance here,” he told journalists.

Joaquina Menez Andre, a dancer, with another group said:

“We came as a family. I’m here with the children to show them the importance of the carnival.”

“The Luanda Carnival, for me, is a thing of joy; now that we’ve come back to dance, it makes us feel good.”

“The carnival for me is a joy, after two years without dancing, frankly I was always sad, but now that we’ve come back to dance, it makes us feel good, a joy rediscovered, the carnival, a really good party.”

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Culture

Ghanaians react angrily as American video vixen Rubi Rose tours Jubilee House

Published

2 days ago

November 3, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Some Ghanaians have been outraged following a tour of the Jubilee House, the country’s seat of government, by American entertainer and video vixen, Rubi Rose.

The visit and tour of the Jubilee House by the controversial vixen, rapper, and OnlyFans content creator who arrived in Ghana on Thursday, October 31, 2024, sparked outrage and angry reactions among Ghanaians on social media who questioned the rationale behind the visit.

The American star was a special guest for a Halloween party in Accra and during her stay, was granted access to the Jubilee House, where she met with Nadia Adongo Musah, Deputy Director of Diaspora Affairs at the Office of the President, and was given a tour of the premises.

Photos of Rose’s visit to the Jubilee House circulated on social media, prompting discontent among Ghanaians, who questioned why someone with her background was allowed into the Jubilee House, also known as Flagstaff House, which holds significant historical and symbolic value as the seat of Ghana’s presidency.

Some angry Ghanaians took to social media to voice out their discontents.

A X user with the handle @fanti_boy wrote:

“Is this really Kwame Nkrumah’s Ghana?”

Another user, @_blacksnow09, said:

“Foreigners have more access to the presidential residence than citizens.”

@CopsonClaude commented:

“The Jubilee House is now Oasis Lounge.”

@PositiveAt59011 said:

“Please, is the place a hotel where Americans do lodge in?”

@DanQuaye22 said:

“They told the citizens Flagstaff House is a security zone, but see who has easy access.”

Culture

Mauritius bans access to social media until after elections

Published

3 days ago

November 2, 2024

Isaac Dachen

The Mauritius government has placed a blanket ban on access to social media websites ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled to hold on November 10.

The ban, which was announced on Friday by the country’s national communications regulator, will be in force until November 11, the day after the election.

“The ICT Authority wishes to inform the public that in response to concerns regarding illegal postings that constitute a serious threat to national security and public safety, it has received directives in the evening of 31 October 2024, to direct all Internet Service Providers to temporarily suspend access to all social media platforms until 11 November 2024”, the Information and Communication Technology Authority said on Friday.

The move which came amid a wiretapping scandal in the Indian Ocean nation, has however, raised concerns as opposition parties and prominent figures have a ploy by the governing party to avoid defeat at the polls.

Local media say the unprecedented social media ban follows a wiretapping scandal which rocked the country last month when recorded conversations of politicians, business people, and members of civil society were leaked on social media.

According to media freedom advocacy group Reporters Without Borders (RWB), the recorded conversations of five well-known journalists were leaked published on social media, prompting the ban.

“The government of the Indian Ocean Island country, which has a population of 1.2 million, has claimed that these leaks are a threat to national security and instructed the communications authority to suspend all access to social media,” the RWB said in a statement.

In response to the bank, network service provider, EMTEL, said it would comply with the directive and user experience will be “progressively disrupted”.

“EMTEL understands the inconvenience that this action shall cause to its customers but reiterates that it has no alternative other than to comply with ICTA directive,” the company said.

Local media also quoted a statement from the office of the Prime Minister, Pravind Jugnauth, who is seeking a second term in power, as saying that the suspension of social media was essential to protect national security and the country’s integrity.