Neverending Ghosts of Colonialism

The Namibian government and specifically the Herero group want Germany to return over 40 skulls of indigenous Namibians, that they've held for about a century. Between 1904 and 1908 Germany, who was Namibia's colonial ruler at that time, launched a little-known genocide against the Hereros for launching an uprising against their colonial rule. The Germans defeated the Herero by driving them deeper and deeper into the desert and poisoning their water sources. It is estimated that between 24000-65000 Herero died.


Germany was recently forced to apologize for the genocide after a book was released exposing and documenting what had been kept under wraps for over a century. However, though Germany has been forced to face the now public historical accounts of the actually genocide, they are still keeping the skulls of Herero people they captured on display in German Universities. The Nambian government continues to demand there return, but the universities are arguing that they are part of their cultural heritage.

Immediately you wonder why the Germans even have the skulls in their possession in the first place. During the war, a German doctor, Eugen Fischer, requested the skulls of the dead in order to prove that African had a lower intellectual capacity than their European counterparts. So I beg to ask if Germany is keeping these skulls on display as proof of Fischer's claim or to remind themselves of their participation and support of one of the most exploitative historical periods.
For years the Herero have requested reparations for the abuse the ancestors suffered- this has gone on deaf ears. Germany's rejection of returning their ancestors remains is yet another slap in the face to a community that like others not only suffered centuries of colonial abuse, but almost had their whole community exterminated.


Does this not remind us of Saartjie"Sarah" Baartman, the Khoi woman who was paraded around Europe for years while her voluptous "beastly" body was put on display?



At the point of her death, Saartjie had been physically and sexually abused. Her brain, vulva, anus, and skeleton was put on display in a French museum and her remains were not repatriated back to South Africa for almost two hundred years!

Germany, please end the cycle of exploitation and dehumanization of African people and return the remains of the Herero people. Allow their souls to rest in peace.

Will Mbeki's Forced Resignation Delegitimize Zimbabwe's Power Sharing Deal?

This weekend, Thabo Mbeki of South Africa was forced to resign amid charges that he interfered in rival, Jacob Zuma's corruption case. Besides the implications of this change in administration for South Africa, I can't help but wonder how this event will affect the Power Sharing Deal recently signed in Zimbabwe and brokered by Mbeki, an avid supporter of President Mugabe. The ANC has stated that Mbeki will be given the chance to continue operating as a mediator in Zimbabwe, but I can't help but wonder how Zimbabweans especially members of the opposition party will welcome his participation.


For the most part, criticism surrounding the deal has been largely pessimistic. And just days after the agreement was signed, there were reports that both parties were unsatisfied with the terms of the agreement and desired more substantial power. The MDC spokesperson even referred to the deal as a "false marriage". This is a clear indication of the need for more talks and resolutions, however with Mbeki facing his own slew of domestic issues, is he in the position to continue to mediate negotiations? And if so, will he have an even greater personal interest in the outcome of the negotiations on the brink of his demotion?

One cannot help but wonder how long this vision will last....

Kalibrados and Other Musicians Stand Up Against Xenophobia

Last Sunday there was a concert in Johannesburg, South Africa called, "Not In Our Lifetime", where Kalibrados an Angolan rap group and other musical acts performed to raise awareness of the negative impact of xenophobia. The proceeds from the concert will be used to support refugees and others victimized due to the xenophobic attacks that took place in May.

Here is a peak of Kalibrados' music.

Are Chinese People Black?

The High Court in South Africa thinks so. This week they ruled that Chinese South Africans be reclassified as Black so that they could also benefit from the Broad-Based Economic Empowerment and the Employment Equity Acts, designed to end White domination and give people classified as Blacks, Indians, and Coloureds more employment and economic benefits. Until now, Chinese people in South Africa had been considered White and though they are a minority in society, they did not benefit from the programs that other non-White ethnic groups did.
I wish I knew more about race relations and hierarchy in South Africa so that I could offer an informed opinion on the topic. But I will say that this is a clear example of the politics of race around the world. In the US, race is considered in the most literal way possible, whereas in many other societies Whiteness and Blackness is considered an expression of your social status. Therefore, one can be physically Black, but well educated and wealthy, thus making him or her "White" and vice versa.
I can remember a Professor of mine who is African American and dark skinned telling me of a time she visited Morocco and was constantly referred to as White because she was eloquent, well-dressed, and wore lipstick. I also sympathize for Chinese currently in South Africa who may move to the US one day and realize that they aren't Black...how shocking that will be!

Union Government for Africa

In a quest to accelerate political and economic integration in Africa, 12 countries are meeting in Arusha to deliberate on a proposed Union Government for Africa. Member states set to attend are Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, South Africa and Tanzania.
A union of this kind excites me for several reason. I hope that African leaders can begin to hold themselves accountable for democratic issues and human rights violations occurring in their countries, as there would be a direct effect on their economic stability and that of others in the union. I can only see such a union making countries stronger and making other African countries (especially those not in the union) less dependent on Western aid. I also hope that it would encourage a more communal spirit between nations. Though, I notice the only countries represented in the union that have a a bit of conflict are Cameroon and Nigeria (though it has been moderated through the ICC and has been fairly small scale), I would hope that a union such as this would help to reduce, if not obliterate violent conflict between states, especially members and those who seek to join. Ghana, being named the most peaceful country in Africa serves as a great leader for the continent and I hope to see the union succeed and flourish.

The Fight Against Immigrants

In the US, immigration has become a widely contested issue as the economy declines. Many citizens contend that immigrants take jobs from away from them and are demanding that the US tighten their borders.
This weekend in South Africa, the battle against immigration took on a more violent persona as 22 foreigners were killed and over 6,000 forced to flee. Native South Africans in the townships of Johannesburg attacked other Africans who they felt were taking their jobs and benefiting from social services.
It's truly unfortunate that economic conditions have forced Africans to abandon their communal and hospitable spirit. Most of the foreigners killed were from Zimbabwe (up to 3 million Zimbabweans live in South Africa), where they are escaping government persecution and extreme poverty. However, they have been blamed for much of South Africa's own social and economic problems including unemployment, housing shortages, and an extremely high crime level. Many have decided to return home rather than continue to face the violent attacks in South Africa.



Nigerians, Malawians, and Mozambicans were also reported to be recipients of the violence, which include savage beatings, rape, and people being burnt alive. More than 200 perpetrators have been arrested, but mobs are still roaming the streets in search of foreigners and looting and burning their businesses.

I'm Not Mad At Her

A woman in South Africa proved to her estranged husband that he would regret not paying her alimony. And I am not mad at her method. It looks like her husband deserved this public shame!

Team Work Against China

For some unexplainable reason, China thinks it's a good idea to ship arms to Zimbabwe- a country in the midst of a political conflict, where the president has made it clear that he will use force to sustain power. Thankfully, Zambia, Angola, and South Africa have prevented China from transporting arms to Zimbabwe.
Thank you Africa, for not allowing China to fuel an already brewing violent conflict!