https://www.scmp.com/rss/325179/feed Sustainable development journalist in Cape Town, South Africa. Writes for local & global titles about renewables, social development and anything ethical/green en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com The day that Cape Town’s taps are expected to run dry has been moved from late April to the first week of July, but its water woes are far from over – even if Day Zero doesn’t even happen this year. Experts think Day Zero is inevitable. In truth, South Africa’s key tourist capital and other parts of the Western Cape province will stay water-scarce for the foreseeable future. Climate change is a key culprit, which means that permanent, structural changes are going to be necessary for long-term... https://www.scmp.com/business/global-economy/article/2139123/countdown-day-zero-cape-town-contemplates-permanent-water?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/business/global-economy/article/2139123/countdown-day-zero-cape-town-contemplates-permanent-water?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 05 Apr 2018 00:32:21 +0000 Western cultural identity, norms, and traditions have dominated the global art scene for centuries. Colonialism – a policy of acquiring full or partial political, economic, and cultural control over another country – has played a key role in this. Education under colonial rule wasn’t designed to make us Africans think. It was made to make us follow, to turn us into zombies Ayodele Olofintuade, Nigerian author Besides exploiting a country’s resources and people for Western economic gain, the... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2117898/africas-artists-step-shadows-colonialism?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2117898/africas-artists-step-shadows-colonialism?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 02 Nov 2017 08:30:30 +0000 From dundun drums and kora harps to ngoni guitars and ghaita flutes, Africa’s musical instrument heritage is as fascinating and diverse as the continent itself. The role of these and other instruments – some simple, others intricate – goes beyond the entertainment factor. Most of them play a fundamental role in local storytelling traditions, cultural rites and official ceremonies. Mountains to mainstream One instrument that speaks most to people’s imagination is the North African ghaita, which... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2115643/musical-flair-celebrating-africas-amazing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2115643/musical-flair-celebrating-africas-amazing?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 19 Oct 2017 01:30:19 +0000 Where a woman rules, streams run uphill, says an ancient Ethiopian proverb, meaning that women are among Africa’s key game-changers. In terms of the continent’s performing arts scene, this couldn’t be truer. Take Angélique Kidjo. Born in Cotonou, Benin, the songstress was the first woman listed as one of “the 40 Most Powerful Celebrities In Africa” by Forbes Magazine. Kidjo – who will perform at the World Cultures Festival on November 3 – has won three Emmys and dozens of regional and global... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2114203/african-women-show-why-they-are-powerful?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2114203/african-women-show-why-they-are-powerful?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 09 Oct 2017 01:46:23 +0000 Africa’s performing arts traditions are as rich, fascinating, and diverse as the continent itself. From Egypt and Nigeria to South Africa, and any other of the 54 countries that lie in between, song, dance, music, and drama – often in combination – have always been the glue that unites, inspires, educates, and entertains the masses. Egypt: performing arts cradle It all started in Egypt some 4,000 years ago, the stage of what can be described as the world’s first theatrical production. This is at... https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2113030/cape-cairo-telling-africas-stories-world?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/lifestyle/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2113030/cape-cairo-telling-africas-stories-world?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 28 Sep 2017 01:46:59 +0000 Among Africa’s rich line-up of internationally recognised musicians and vocal artists, Angélique Kidjo and Youssou N’Dour top the list. However, there is more to them than their award-winning repertoires. N’Dour is also waging a war against malaria, while Kidjo is fighting to keep African girls in school and also end child marriage. Ahead of their stage performances in Hong Kong in the next two months, we take a closer look at the duo. Kidjo, 57, who has released 12 albums and is the winner... https://www.scmp.com/native/culture/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2110927/singing-different-tune-youssou-ndour-and?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/native/culture/topics/spotlight-africa/article/2110927/singing-different-tune-youssou-ndour-and?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 18 Sep 2017 01:30:15 +0000