🔅 Battle for Land: When Colonial Baggage Meets Climate Change
The Congo You Don't Know & Mozambique's Presidential Showdown
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The Battle for Land: When Colonial Baggage Meets Climate Change
If you're in the mood for a documentary that'll make you laugh, cry, and question the legacy of British colonialism, have we got the film for you! "The Battle for Laikipia" is a brilliantly edited, illuminating look at the tensions between indigenous pastoralists and commercial ranchers in Kenya during a severe drought.
The film focuses on the Samburu people, a nomadic tribe struggling to find food for their cattle.
Historically, the Samburu and the ranchers have had each other's backs during tough times, but now, the pastoralists' presence on private ranches is met with verbal abuse and even gunshots. Some of the indigenous locals have taken up arms in retaliation, and the region is descending into chaos.
But here's the kicker: the film's editing exposes the ranchers' blinkered view of their position within the community.
Take Tom, for example. He's the owner of a 56,000-acre estate (because who doesn't need that much land?) and waxes poetic about his mission to preserve biodiversity. Cut to a couple of scenes later, and he's giving orders to a police commander to gun down the pastoralists' cattle.
It's clear that Tom's vision of Kenya, tinged with a colonial-era romanticization of safari life, can only exist through the exclusion of the marginalized. It's like he's trying to recreate "Out of Africa," but without the indigenous people getting in the way.
"The Battle for Laikipia" patiently and rigorously demonstrates how the conflicts of the present are inextricably linked to the baggage of the past. It's a stark reminder that the legacy of British colonialism is still alive and well in Kenya, and that land rights and climate justice are two sides of the same coin.
By The Way…
We watched the Oscar-nominated film "Io Capitano" this weekend. And if you haven’t yet, do yourself a favour and add it to your must-watch list. It’s one of the best movies we’ve seen this year.
Here’s what we wrote about it back in April.
Any other African films you recommend, dear Reader? Hit reply and let us know…
Mozambique's Presidential Showdown: The Battle for a Better Future
Voters in Mozambique are dusting off their voting shoes and heading to the polls for the presidential election today. With President Filipe Nyusi bidding adieu after his two terms, the nation is gearing up to choose a new leader who can steer the country through some seriously choppy waters.
The Main Contenders:
David Chapo (Frelimo Party): This 47-year-old former governor of Inhambane province is hoping to keep the ruling party's winning streak alive, having been in power since independence from Portugal in 1975.
Venacio Mondlane (Independent): Running under the catchy slogan "Save Mozambique, this country's ours," this 50-year-old banker and forestry engineer has been drawing crowds like moths to a flame. He's got the backing of Podemos, a party created by Frelimo dissidents, and he's still salty about allegedly being robbed of a mayoral win last year.
Lutero Simango (Democratic Movement of Mozambique): Breaking away from the rebel group-turned-opposition party Renamo, Simango's party is striking a chord with the youth thanks to its policies on inequality and jobs.
The Issues:
The Islamic State-affiliated insurgency in Cabo Delgado: Candidates are promising to address the development issues exacerbated by this conflict, which has forced 1.3 million people to flee their homes and put a damper on a crucial (and huge) gas project.
Unemployment and hunger: With 1.3 million people facing severe food shortages due to drought, the new president will have their work cut out for them.
Corruption scandals: The ruling Frelimo party has been tainted by scandals like the "tuna bond" fiasco, which saw former finance minister Manuel Chang jailed for taking payoffs and left Mozambique with $2 billion in "hidden debt."
When Will We Know the Winner?
After the one-day voting extravaganza, counting will begin immediately, with partial results announced as they trickle in. The National Election Commission will officially announce the results after 15 days, and the Constitutional Council will validate them. Any party can file objections, but the council will decide if they hold water.
The Congo You Don't Know: A Safari Adventure Like No Other
If you're looking for an off-the-beaten-path adventure that'll make your Instagram followers green with envy, pack your bags and head to… the Republic of Congo. Not the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but its lesser-known neighbor with an almost identical name.
Now, before you start googling "Is it safe to travel to Congo?" and "What vaccinations do I need for Congo?" (spoiler alert: it's safe, and you'll need a few jabs), Vogue is here to tell us why this overlooked Central African country is the continent's most thrilling safari destination.
First things first, Congo is home to the Odzala-Kokoua National Park, a vast expanse of savannahs, swamps, and rainforests that's about the size of Belgium. This biodiverse wonderland is teeming with rare creatures like forest elephants, bongo antelopes, and a mind-boggling array of primates, including the critically endangered western lowland gorilla.
And these aren't the only stars of the show: You also get the elusive forest elephants. These nimble pachyderms can appear like ghosts from nowhere, so you'll need to channel your inner ninja and tread lightly. But when you finally come eye to beady eye with one of these majestic creatures, you'll understand why people travel halfway across the world for moments like these.
More on this in Vogue Magazine, and why the Congo Basin's forests "can feel like moving through a cathedral."
Food for Thought
“Too many captains sink the ship.”
— Wolof Proverb, Gambia