Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian
Samira Sawlani

Creator

Samira Sawlani

Samira Sawlani is a writer, journalist and analyst, specialising in East Africa.

Soul Train: South African singer Tyla’s song Water was huge this year. Photo: Axelle/Bauer-Griffing/Getty Images

The A-Z of 2023 for Africa

All Change for Archange: The Central African Republic held a constitutional referendum earlier this year, which, among other things, would allow President Faustin-Archange…

Faith Kipyegon of Kenya, winner of the gold medal, during the medal ceremony after competing in the 5000m women’s final during day nine of the World Athletics Championships in Budapest. (Photo by Andy Astfalck/BSR Agency/Getty Images)

On track with Faith Kipyegon

The rest of us are just trying to keep up

Esther Kazungu. Photo: Pau Shinski

Kenya’s ungovernable Esther Kazungu

We all know our politicians are ridiculous but sometimes we need to be reminded — by a social media star

Illustration: Wynona Mutisi

‘The Roaming Chef’ Dennis Ombachi protects his sauces

With millions of followers, the former rugby sevens star makes short, snappy videos of him cooking up mouth-watering dishes

A man wears a traditional Kankurang mask along the beach in the popular tourist area of Senegambia in Banjul on December 6, 2021. (Photo: John Wessels/AFP)

The Continent: Africa A-Z of 2021

The highlights of 2021 in Africa

Turning the weapon on the attacker: Monica Geingos shared a video in which she spoke about the harassment and abuse she has faced, particularly online, adding that when women speak out on gender abuse ‘there is always a backlash’. Photo: Bryan Bedder/Getty Images/Concordia Summit
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Namibia’s first lady Monica Geingos fights social media trolls

When Monica Geingos became first lady of Namibia she received a deluge of abuse, but she extinguishes it by holding it up to the light.

Sistah Sistah: Supporters of Zambia’s President Hakainde Hichilema protested to remind him that women need protection against gender-based violence. (Marco Longari/AFP)

Zambia’s women protest against gender-based violence

Zambia has a longstanding reputation for being a safe, peaceful country — except if you’re a woman

Stolen heritage: Many cultural treasures from Africa and elsewhere sit in the museums of former colonisers. Photo: Franck Fife/AFP

Emery Mwazulu Diyabanza: Liberating Africa from land of liberté

The cultural and political activist is on a quest to bring looted treasures back home

Coming of age: Writer and director Lula Ali Ismaïl.
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Meet Lula Ali Ismaïl, Djibouti’s ‘First Lady of Film’

Lula Ali Ismaïl’s first feature-length film, Dhalinyaro, was a smash hit in her home country — and beyond

Although grateful for the recognition, Nsibirwa Semu says his real aim is for his actions to go beyond Covid-19 and inspire people to remember that any act of goodwill, no matter how small, can help to make things better.

The Ugandan good Samaritan sanitising hospitals and police stations

Compelled to make a difference during the Covid-19 pandemic, an IT consultant is now helping to keep essential services workers healthy

On the frontline: The junior doctor at Mogadishu’s Covid call centre

In less than a week, 16 000 Somalis called into the government’s new coronavirus hotline. Dr Jihan Ali works there, advising callers and collecting and providing data to colleagues

Silver screen: Before VCRs reached Mogadishu, cinemas were all the rage. The advent of a new blockbuster was a social event that garnered much excitement

Somalia’s enduring Bollywood love affair

Actor Amitabh Bachchan may not know it, but he has been a superstar in Mogadishu for years

Guinea’s President Alpha Condé may secure a third term in power if a proposed referendum to change the country’s Constitution in this regard is successful. (Benoit Tessier/Reuters)

Guinea’s Condé eyes third term

Even as Algeria and Sudan have rid themselves of their long-standing leaders, Guinea may be about to create a new president-for-life