US educational tech company Duolingo offers isiZulu lessons, introduces users to amapiano and gqom

IsiZulu has become the second language from Southern Africa after Swahili to be included on Duolingo, an American educational technology platform. Users will learn how to appreciate music like amapiano and gqom, communicate with family members, talk about eating amasi, and navigate the South African taxi system. Plans are under way to introduce isiXhosa on…

South Sudan’s former rebels join unified army

Thousands of former rebels swore an oath of loyalty in a ceremony held under tight security in South Sudan. Nearly 22,000 men and women — drawn from the main parties as well as the South Sudan Opposition Alliance — participated in Tuesday’s proceedings, which were originally scheduled to take place in 2019 according to the peace deal. South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir…

Exodus of medical professionals in South Africa – leaving hospitals understaffed

The South African medical fraternity is suffering from an exodus of nurses and doctors, leaving public hospitals in particular understaffed. Sibongiseni Delihlazo, the spokesperson for the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa), said at a recent meeting of the East, Central and Southern African College of Nursing (Ecsacon) in Johannesburg, that there has been an…

How China is wooing African countries

China has promised African countries R170 billion from its special drawing rights at the IMF. China’s ambassador to Zimbabwe says no African country experienced economic distress or political crisis because of dealing with China. Academics say the China-Africa relationship is mutually beneficial economically. While the United States seeks to outcompete China in Africa, the Asian…

Central African Republic top court blocks purchases with new cryptocurrency

BANGUI, Aug 29 (Reuters) – Central African Republic’s Constitutional Court on Monday ruled that the purchase of citizenship, “e-residency” and land using a cryptocurrency the government launched last month was unconstitutional. The “Sango Coin” went on sale on July 21 despite a sharp fall in bitcoin prices during recent months, and doubts over the project’s viability in…