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South African rocked by video showing ‘auction’ of black pupils

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A school in Cape Town, South Africa, is in the news for the wrong reasons after a viral video emerged that appears to show pupils pretending to auction off their black classmates.

The Provincial Education Department, in a statement, said it has launched an investigation into the incident which many allege is hinged on racist bullying.

The video which was leaked on social media platforms, shows at least two male black pupils behind a gate in a fenced-off area as several mixed-race “coloured” students appear to be shouting bids for them.

Western Cape Education Department spokesperson Bronagh Hammond, while reacting to the video rntitled “Slavery at school is crazy”, said it was “deeply disturbing and hurtful”.

Hammond said the school has opened a disciplinary investigation into allegations of racist bullying.

A parent who commented on the video, said that a group of boys had tried to force her son into a cage but he escaped.

“They were picking up black boys and putting them in the cage,” the unidentified woman was quoted as saying.

Local media reports that although a minority nationally, mixed-race South Africans who identify themselves as “coloured” mostly live in the Western Cape province, of which Cape Town is the capital.

“Allegations of racism at South Africa schools persist 30 years after the first all-race election in 1994 put an end to white minority rule under the apartheid system.

“Twelve white pupils from the Pretoria Girls High School were suspended this week for allegedly making racist comments against their black classmates in a WhatsApp group,” a local tabloid reported on Saturday.

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GWR: Nigerian lecturer hits 100-hour mark in marathon lecture

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A Nigerian lecturer, Dr Nsikak Akpan, has hit the 100-hour mark in his attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the marathon lecture series, a record currently held by an Indian Professor, Arvin Mishra, who clocked 139 hours, 52 minutes, 42 seconds in 2014.

Dr Akpan, a lecturer at Foreign Links College of Health Technology, Moro, Osun State, had embarked on a 150-hour marathon lecture in a bid to set a new world record for the longest lecture stretch.

Each session of the lecture lasts four hours before the record chaser takes a break and returns after 20 minutes.

While speaking with journalists ahead of the event on the campus of the college, Akpan disclosed that his application sent to the Guinness World Records for him to embark on the marathon lecture was approved.

Delivering a lecture on a topic relating to mental health, Akpan reached 100 hours of continuous lecture at about 12:30 pm on Friday.

“The mental health of a man is a product of different things, most especially his environmental and spiritual well-being,” Akpan said on reaching the 100-hour mark.“

There are health conditions and seasons that one may have and will not contribute to the mental health of workers. The environment by which someone works has a direct effect on his health,” he noted.

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Nigerians are angry that British actor Idris Elba is selected to play lead role in ‘Things Fall Apart’ adaptation

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Nigerian social media users are wondering why British actor, Idris Elba, has been selected to portray the character of Okonkwo in the adaptation of Chinua Achebe’s classic novel, ‘Things Fall Apart’, in a new TV series by American entertainment company, A24.

According to English tabloid, Variety, apart from playing the lead role as the protagonist, Elba will also serve as executive producer alongside Gina Carter under their 22Summers production banner, while Nigerian filmmakers, David Oyelowo and Amanda N’Duka, will be the executive producers.

“Things Fall Apart states it is the “story of Okonkwo (Elba), one of literature’s most iconic characters—a fearless African warrior and leader who is resolute about preserving his people and culture,” the tabloid wrote.

“As British colonisers disrupt his world, Okonkwo’s struggle to maintain power and tradition spirals into a heart-wrenching confrontation. His fierce resolve, a fatal flaw in the face of unstoppable change, makes him an unforgettable character, embodying the tension between strength, vulnerability and adaptability,” it added.

However, Nigerian Netizens are not happy with the arrangement as they believe a Nigerian actor in the mould of Pete Edochie should have been the right fit for the role as he had played Okonkwo when the novel was first adapted as a movie in 1971 and later as a mini-series in 1987.

They are also wondering how Elba who is British, will be able to handle Igbo words and proverbs which made the Okonkwo character unique.

Others were also quick to point out Elba’s bad ‘African’ accent as noticed in the movie Wakanda accent.

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