🔅 Traditional Healers Head to TikTok
Guinea's Ex-Military Leader Gets 20-Years
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Sangomas Go Digital: Traditional Healers Take Their Juju to TikTok
In a world where you can order a pizza, find a date, and attend a work meeting without ever leaving your couch, it was only a matter of time before traditional African healers, known as sangomas, joined the digital party.
That's right, folks—the wise and mystical grandmothers and grandfathers of Southern African spirituality are now just a TikTok live stream away. Forget about trekking to a remote village to consult with the spirits; now, you can get your ancestral guidance while scrolling through dance challenges and cat videos.
Meet Gogo Mafirakureva, a stylish sangoma who's taking the TikTok world by storm. With her trendy outfits and thousands of live viewers, she's proving that spiritual possession and social media stardom can go hand in hand.
But not everyone's thrilled about this mashup of ancient traditions and modern tech. Critics argue that true spirituality and ring lights don't mix, and that these TikTok sangomas are just in it for fame and fortune.
The spokesperson for Zimbabwe's traditional healers' association even went so far as to call them "thieves masquerading as traditional healers." Ouch.
What do you think? Are traditional healers embracing the digital age the right way?
TotalEnergies Walks Away from South African Gas
TotalEnergies has decided to walk away from its gas-condensate discoveries in South African waters. The French energy giant cited the classic "it's too challenging" excuse, leaving South Africa's dreams of gas-powered independence high and dry.
This breakup is particularly painful for South Africa, which had been planning to use more natural gas to wean itself off its coal addiction. It's like finally deciding to eat healthier, only to have your favourite salad place close down.
The Brulpadda and Luiperd fields were supposed to be South Africa's ticket to energy self-sufficiency, potentially fueling PetroSA's 45,000 barrel-a-day plant. Now, it looks like South Africa will have to continue with its international oil and gas imports.
TotalEnergies' exit is a reminder that in the world of energy exploration, sometimes the juice just isn't worth the squeeze. Or in this case, the gas just isn't worth the... hassle?
Guinea's Ex-Military Leader Gets 20-Years
Former Guinean military leader Moussa Dadis Camara has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for crimes against humanity.
The charges stem from one of the worst massacres in the nation's history, where Camara's forces’ response to an opposition rally, resulted in 156 deaths and 109 rapes. The protesters were demanding a return to civilian rule.
The massacre took place when tens of thousands of people had packed a stadium in the capital, Conakry, asking Camara not to stand in the upcoming presidential election.
Many were attacked or crushed in a stampede as security forces fired teargas. Scores of women were also raped.
The trial lasted two years, and over 100 survivors and victims' relatives testified. The court in its ruling also ordered compensation for the victims. The payouts range from 200 million to 1.5 billion Guinean francs.
Some victims' relatives are celebrating this as a victory for justice, and some human rights groups are hailing this as a landmark case, saying it puts other potential perpetrators on notice. However, others think Camara got off easy.
Food for Thought
“You cannot build a house for last year’s summer.”