🔅 Identity Crisis: The Struggle of Being a Second-Generation African Immigrant
Plus: Trevor Noah is The New Face of South Africa
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Lubumbashi, République démocratique du Congo
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Malawi's Central Bank Devalues Currency, But Will It Fix the Problem? | Malawi's central bank has devalued its currency by a staggering 30%. This isn't the first time they've done it—they also pulled this stunt back in May 2022. It's aimed at propping up their dwindling foreign currency reserves, but some experts are skeptical.
*Data accurate as of the close of markets across the continent
Brief & Bright: Africa's Top Five
Identity Crisis: The Struggle of Being a Second-Generation African Immigrant
Being a second-generation immigrant in Africa is no easy feat. Just ask the kids of African parents from different countries—they're caught in a tug-of-war between two cultures and identities. These kids are figuring out who they are and where they fit in a society where ethnic, religious, and national identities are a big deal. Recent research reveals that family ties and acceptance from extended family, more than one's ability to speak a language, play the biggest role in identity formation. Still, children can switch between identities (primary identity is defined as how someone sees themselves, while secondary identity comes after that) depending on the situation, sometimes daily. The results are insightful because they help us understand how people's identities are shaped by their environment.
Trevor Noah: The New Face of South Africa's Tourism (Sorry, Nelson Mandela)
Trevor Noah is taking on a new role: the official spokesperson for South African tourism. And even though people were initially outraged at the hefty price tag of $1.7 million for his services, they seem to have changed their tune now that an ad he featuers in has been released. In it, Noah charms potential visitors with his humor, answering questions like "Is there snow at Christmas time?" (Spoiler alert: No, but there's apparently plenty of other cool stuff to do). Fans are loving his performance, with one even saying he's replaced Nelson Mandela as the global face of South Africa.
Nigerian President's Spending Spree: Bulletproof Cars and a Presidential Yacht
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has signed a $2.8 billion supplementary budget that includes funding for new bulletproof cars for himself and his wife, a presidential yacht, and renovations to his residential quarters. He says the budget is aimed at addressing "urgent issues" like defence and security, but critics are calling it insensitive to the struggles of ordinary Nigerians facing sky-high inflation and economic hardship.
Ghana: Who Cut Down the Famous 300-Year-Old Tree with Healing Powers?
Ghanaians are outraged after discovering that a famous 300-year-old kola tree, believed to have healing powers, was cut down. This tree was a big deal—it was where a renowned priest spat a kola nut on the ground in the early 1700s, and its black and white seeds were said to cure ailments and curses. Plus, it was a tourist attraction! But now, it’s just a sad stump on the side of a highway. No one knows why it was cut down, but people are not happy. The director of research at the Ashanti royal family’s palace says the spot where the tree grew is significant in the history of the Ashanti Kingdom—here is where they battled for their independence against the powerful kingdom of Denkyira. But now, the tree that reminded everyone of this important piece of history is gone. Who did this?
DRC's Free Healthcare for Moms-to-Be
The Democratic Republic of Congo, which has one of the world's worst mortality rates, has announced it will be offering free healthcare to pregnant women. Women in half of the country's regions will, by the end of the year, be entitled to free services during pregnancy and for one month after childbirth. Critics, however, dispute the government's ability to follow through on this promise. The announcement comes as the country gears up for a presidential election and you might be interested to know that one of the top contenders is Denis Mukwege, a Nobel Peace Prize-winning gynaecologist.
Food for Thought
"During times of peace in the country, the chief does not carry a shield."
— Ugandan Proverb