A nurse with 15 years’ experience has been sacked after discussing Christianity and offering to pray with patients before operations. Sister Sarah Kuteh was dismissed for breaching guidelines, even though her job involved asking people preparing for surgery about their religion.

The mother-of-three, who is now suing the hospital for unfair dismissal, said she was offering solace to patients she believed were happy to chat about their beliefs, and described her sacking as ‘disproportionate and punitive’.

The row comes after Theresa May told MPs that Christians should feel able to speak about their faith at work. The Prime Minister’s comments followed criticism by Government watchdog the Equality and Human Rights Commission, highlighted by The Mail on Sunday, of politically correct organisations that curb freedom of expression.

Mrs Kuteh broke down in tears as she recalled being suspended and escorted from Darent Valley hospital in Dartford, Kent.

She said: ‘It was embarrassing for me – and painful after all I had done in my years as a nurse. I was told I couldn’t even speak to my colleagues. All I had done was to nurse from my heart. How could it be harmful to tell someone about Jesus?’

But bosses at Dartford and Gravesham NHS Trust said her ‘unwanted discussions’ had upset patients and she had also failed to heed warnings that she was being unprofessional.


Source:http://howafrica.com/african-nurse-sacked-in-the-uk-after-offering-to-pray-with-her-patients/

Parents in Egypt could soon be sentenced to six months in jail for giving their children ‘Western’ names such as ‘Mark’, ‘Lara’ and ‘Sam’. .

A draft law banning the use of ‘foreign names’ was introduced by MP Bedier Abdel Aziz and discussed by his country’s parliament yesterday.

According to the Egypt Independent, he said “The fine should be between LE1,000- LE5,000($60-$300) and the sentence should be six months at the most.

Using such Western names and abandoning Arabic ones will lead to an undesired and radical change in our society and culture. Our sons will no longer be connected to their true identity,” he claimed. .

As for what motivated him to propose this law, MP Abdel-Aziz explained that Western names such as ‘Lara’, Mark’ or ‘Sam’ are difficult to pronounce for other Arabs. .

The draft law has caused massive outrage among social media users who have expressed their condemnation, citing it as a trivial matter that the Parliament should not discuss.


Source:http://howafrica.com/egypt-threatens-to-jail-parents-who-give-their-kids-western-names/

Apart from heredity which is said to hold an higher risk of any man suffering from cancer. These lifestyle can be avoided easily since cancer is really on the high side these days
1 EAT MORE PLANTS

A healthy diet with an emphasis on plant foods is critical for cancer prevention. Studies have shown that eating a variety of fresh produce and whole grains is associated with a decreased risk of developing some types of cancer likely related to their vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. Fruits, vegetables and fiber-containing plant-based products have earned a Food and Drug Administration-approved health claim for their association with reducing the risk of cancer.
2 GET YOUR SLEEP

Lack of sleep or sleep disturbance can cause shifts in hormones and stress the entire system. Skimping on shut-eye has been linked to hormonal problems leading to weight gain, and now a 2014 study in the Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine has shown a positive association between sleep disturbance from moderate to severe sleep apnea and cancer incidence. The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified the “shift leading to a disruption of circadian rhythm as probably carcinogenic to humans.” When the circadian rhythm is disrupted in rotating-shift workers or people who work at night, hormonal shifts in melatonin have been studied in relation to incidence of certain types of cancers. Adults should aim for seven to nine hours per night and address sleep apnea with your doctor if this is an issue.

3 MAINTAIN A HEALTHY BODY WEIGHT

A 2003 study in the New England Journal of Medicine estimates that being overweight or obese may contribute to up to 20 percent of all cancer-related deaths. Being overweight or obese (a BMI of 25 or greater) is strongly associated with specific types of cancer, including bre*st (postmenopausal), colon and rectum, kidney, esophagus, pancreas and gallbladder. It’s also likely associated with cancer of the liver, cervix, ovary, prostate, non-Hodgkin lymphoma and multiple myeloma. The reason for the association may be related to negative effects on the immune system and inflammation, including hormones that stimulate cell growth.

4 MANAGE YOUR STRESS

Aside from lifestyle factors like nutrition and physical activity, studies in mindfulness and stress-reduction are gaining attention for prevention of chronic diseases, including cancer. A 2010 study published in the Journal of Alternative Complementary Medicine found that participants in an eight-week mindfulness-based stress-reduction program saw increased immune markers and decreased inflammatory markers in blood tests. The National Cancer Institute advises that while there is currently no direct proven link between stress and cancer incidence, there may be increased health risks with chronic stress. For example, people under stress may develop certain behaviors — such as smoking, overeating or using alcohol — that could increase risk for cancer

6 LIMIT OR AVOID ALCOHOL

Research shows that limiting alcohol intake is an important part of cancer prevention. Current AICR recommendations state that people who drink alcohol should limit it to no more than two drinks per day for men and no more than one drink per day for women. Drinking alcohol is associated with an increased risk for head and neck cancers, as well as liver, colorectal, bre*st and pancreatic cancers. One reason that alcohol increases risk for developing cancer is acetaldehyde, which is a byproduct created when we metabolize alcohol
7 INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

By getting moving, you can reduce the risk for cancer including breast, colon, endometrium, prostate and pancreatic. Recommendations for a physically active lifestyle include both increasing daily activity as well as limiting sedentary time. Adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate activity like brisk walking or yard work or 75 minutes of vigorous activity like jogging or running each week. Limiting both screen time (TV, computer and phone) and sitting is important as well, and, at a minimum, doing any activity above your usual level is a positive change.
8 INCLUDE WHOLE GRAINS AND LEGUMES DAILY

Like fresh fruits and vegetables, minimally processed grains like wild rice, barley and quinoa contain cancer-preventing vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber and are also lower in caloric content than most other heavily processed products that may have added sugar or oils. A 2009 study published in Circulation, the American Heart Association’s journal, shows a high intake of red and processed meats, refined grains, French fries, sweets and desserts was linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease, cancer and total mortality
9 EAT YOUR FRUITS AND VEGETABLES

Fresh produce contains potential anticancer benefits, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fiber. The current recommendations from the AICR for cancer prevention are to eat at least two-and-a-half cups of fruits and vegetables every day

To increase your intake of fruits and vegetables, aim to fill half your plate with these choices at each meal.
10 QUIT SMOKING

Quitting smoking is perhaps the single most important modifiable factor that will decrease your risk of cancer. The current American Cancer Society Guidelines on Nutrition and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention estimates that one third of cancer deaths could be prevented by stopping exposure to tobacco products. Keep in mind that using tobacco and alcohol simultaneously increases risk for mouth, larynx and esophageal cancers, so if you use tobacco products — particularly when drinking alcohol — seek the help you need to quit for good and make a critical choice to reduce your cancer risk.


Source:http://howafrica.com/see-those-killing-lifestyle-that-purely-attracts-cancer-new-study-reveals/

Kenya has the world’s 14th-fastest mobile internet speed, according to a report from the content delivery network Akamai, which collects data from more 130 countries.

At 13.7 megabits per second, Kenya’s average data connection speed in the first quarter of 2017 was almost twice as fast as the global average. Kenya also beats the United States, ranked 28th with an average speed of 10.7 mbps, and South Korea, home to the fastest average speed in fixed internet connection.

As much as 88% of Kenya’s population access the internet through their phones, thanks to cheaper data plans and the ubiquitous use of mobile money platforms like Mpesa.

In terms of average fixed line internet connection speeds, Kenya ranks above its peers in Sub-Saharan Africa. (The report groups the Middle East and Africa together.) In 2013, Kenya launched its “National Broadband Strategy” to extend fiber optic cables across the country, encourage more local content online, and install ICT centers at universities. Broadband penetration now covers as much as 30% of the country, according to the Communications Authority of Kenya


Source:http://howafrica.com/kenya-has-better-internet-speed-than-the-us-fastest-in-africa/

The Nigeria Union in South Africa, on Wednesday claimed that two communities in the country, have asked Nigerians to leave their territories.

President of the union, Ikechukwu Anyene, said the Kuruman community in Northern Cape Province gave Nigerians till Thursday to leave.

He also said the Klaafontein community, Extension 5, Johannesburg, directed landlords not to renew the rent of Nigerians in the area, blaming them for the rise of illicit drug trade and prostitution.

“The Nigeria union held series of meetings with the affected communities as well as police and local authorities on the recent threats to Nigerians.

“We have also written reports on these incidents and sent to the Nigerian Mission and the South African police.

“We recommended interventions before the June 16 deadline to the mission and we are waiting for their response.

“The union is worried that any incident involving non -South Africans are attributed to Nigerians,” Anyene said.




Source:http://howafrica.com/renewed-xenophobia-south-african-communities-give-nigerians-quit-notice/

If the insects terrorize you, the lines that follow will certainly not reassure you, because we will present the Triatominae.


This insect that anglophones nicknamed the “Kissing Bug” is a parasite that can infect humans like animals and even be deadly.

But what is most worrying is that in recent months there has been a considerable increase in the infections caused by this parasite in South America and the United States.

In the United States, there were 300,000 cases and in Texas alone nearly 400 dogs died because of this parasite.

And just to worry even more, this parasite attacks its victims while they sleep.

Moreover, one of the special features of this parasite is that it is generally asymptomatic, meaning that the victims do not realize anything, but once symptoms are felt, it is often too late.

If you ever experience extreme fatigue, coordination problems, convulsions, diarrhea, abdominal pain, loss of appetite or high blood pressure, maybe you have been a victim of this parasite .

In order to avoid being infected by this parasite, always make sure that your pets stay indoors at night and make sure especially that no insect can enter through the windows.

On this, be vigilant and we wish you a good night’s sleep!
See an illustration of their size according to their age:





Source:http://howafrica.com/if-you-see-this-insect-in-your-house-get-out-quickly-and-call-for-help/

Twenty six year-old Alice Awuor Omito from Rongo, Migori County, Kenya, has shocked many after confessing that preparing the dead for burial is the one thing that makes her happy.

The employee of Rosewood Funeral Home in Rongo said that she dropped out of nursing school after fears that she would not secure employment after school.



The mortician began working as a morgue attendant at Star Mortuary in Kisumu two years ago, aged 24 before transferring to Rosewood in Rongo and says that she can’t imagine being away from the dead.

“I enjoy spending a better part of my working days with the dead. I can’t imagine staying away from them even for a single working day. I have to go and look at the bodies stored in freezers daily,” she said.

“I discontinued my studies in nursing and pursued mortuary science because of available job opportunities in the latter field. I don’t regret changing professions, not one bit,” Awuor added.

She narrated her journey to being a female in a male dominated field, adding that she has come to love her job, and would not substitute it for another.

“When I was new in this job I had fears and challenges handling the dead, but now I enjoy every bit of my work. I adapted so fast and I am comfortable,” she says.

The mother of one however disclosed the challenges that come with being a mortician, confessing that it has not been a smooth ride for her.

“My boyfriend recently dumped me when I told him that I work as a morgue attendant. Discrimination is just one of the several challenges I face for being a mortician. The challenges are normal though. No job is immune to challenges regardless its nature,” says Awuor.

She revealed why marriage would be her last thing: “I fear my partner would dump me once he gets to know about my job. I don’t want to go through the same experience again.”


Source:http://howafrica.com/i-love-the-dead-meet-the-female-kenyan-mortuary-attendant-who-cannot-stay-away-from-the-dead/

At the point when Gadhafi was president, Libya was one of the favored and most loved place for Ghanaians, not just on the grounds that it was easy to get a job but also in light of the fact that Libya was an gateway to Southern Europe. Things have changed a great deal after Gadhafi’s oust and passing. Most Africans now risk being executed in Libya. These past years, some travel agencies have tricked innocent young men and young ladies to go to some Arab nations including Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Lebanon, with the guarantee of getting office employments, factory jobs, driving top executives.

With massive unemployment in Ghana, the offers look alluring. In any case, the individuals who go to those nations understand that the people who go with them there have sold them into slavery. They hand them over to agents and get the aggregate sum in return for these innocent Ghanaians. The majority of them are young ladies who are sold further to become maids or house-helps. This is where all their problems and disappointments begin.

Once in the homes of their masters and mistresses they work several hours most often with little or no salaries. The intention is to make them work to make up for the amount they paid to buy them from the agents. They are treated as slaves in the various households in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Lebanon. The hardship and torture these girls go through are very serious and regrettable issues that have flooded the social media. The audios and videos appearing on social media in recent times are heartrending. They are helpless and urgent cries for help. The narration of the hardship and torture these Ghanaian girls are going through are brutal and shocking. Ghanaians are not alone in this. There are other Africans in similar situations. Many have lost their lives.

One particular audio that will send shivers down the spine of anyone, is a calamitous narration from a Ghanaian girl in Saudi Arabia. She looked through the kitchen window and found to her utter dismay, fear and shock, that the maid in a neighbouring house was hanged on a ceiling with her own sponge by the master of the house. Before her unfortunate and untimely death, she had spoken to the narrator on a mobile phone. According to the narrator, both husband and wife were driving out so the maid in the house had to rush out of the kitchen to open the gate for them to go. She went back to the kitchen. Meanwhile the three children in the family, walked towards the gate. The youngest child put her fingers between the gates in an attempt to open it. The older child saw this and quickly banged the gate, smashing her little fingers inadvertently, breaking the little bones in her fingers. This incident precipitated the hanging of the Ghanaian maid.

In another extremely strange, horrifying and sad incident which happened in Kuwait, the maid had forgotten the rice to burn on the stove. The man and his wife were highly infuriated when they saw the burnt rice. They locked the maid in a room for two days without food. The girl managed to escape through the window and reported the issue to the police. The police called the family to report to the police station. Surprisingly, the girl was handed back to the man and his wife to take her home. When they arrived home they beat her severely and hanged her with her own net sponge. When she finally died, they cut her into pieces and packed the remains in a sack and threw it away. How wicked! In another development, a maid who was serving a family in Lebanon, refused to listen to the instructions of her host family because she had not been paid for a year. They tied her hands and legs and poured hot water on her. Does this Ghanaian maid deserve this?

The government is fully aware of the inhuman treatment being meted out to Ghanaians who are lured to seek greener pastures in the Arab countries. Action is being taken to track down the agents who sell these girls into slavery. Right now as I write, one of these so-called agents has been arrested with five innocent girls in Madina in Accra as he attempted to smuggle them to Saudi Arabia. They all had in their possession Ghanaian passports with Saudi Arabian visa. This has been a very lucrative business for the agents because they charge the girls a certain amount, and they still receive payments from the Arab agents when they hand over the girls to them.

These girls go through sexual abuse and physical mutilation in the very houses where they work and these abuses can become daily occurrences. Very often these girls are locked in the house with no chance of seeing the sun. Such girls have no access to radio and no way to communicate with the outside world. So assuming the government of Ghana brings an aeroplane to take the girls back, many of them may not even be aware of such an opportunity. Such girls die and no one hears about it. A Kenyan girl was lynched by the master and mistress of the house. She was later hanged to die completely. Quite surprisingly, the master of the house called to the Kenyan embassy to report that the girl had hanged herself. The ambassador ordered the body to be flown to Kenya for autopsy and burial.

I want to suggest few solutions to this problem. The first solution is that the Foreign Affairs ministry must send strong directives to the ambassadors of those Arab countries in Ghana not to give visas to agents who come to them with passports belonging to other people. Also travel agents who are involved in this slave trade business must be fished out, arrested and jailed.

The ministry of information must launch a campaign towards warning Ghanaians of the dangers in travelling to find non-existent jobs. The ministry must do this aggressively through the mass media (newspapers, radio and television) and the social media. Lastly, I humbly to the government of Nana Akufo-Addo, to heed to heed to the cries of Ghanaian innocent youths who are suffering and wailing in the Arab lands where hundreds die insignificant.

Is Mecca not in Saudi Arabia? Is it not considered a holy place where Muslims from all walks of life, both black and white, go on a religious pilgrimage? Why then is this double standard of the Arabs? Why the hatred for African workers? Will help ever come from the Ghana government? Time will tell.



Source:http://howafrica.com/ghanaians-tortured-and-killed-in-most-arab-countries-research/

The United States government has officially banned airline passengers from eight Middle Eastern and North African countries from carrying large electronic devices, The Independent report says.

No American carriers are impacted by the ban, which involves any device larger than a mobile phone.

The ban would stop passengers bringing laptops, iPads and cameras in carry-on luggage and is thought to affect at least 12 airlines.



It is thought to apply to nonstop flights to the US from 10 airports in eight countries which are
in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (2), Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (2).

The policy is expected to be announced on Tuesday where the full details of the ban will be disclosed.

The Independent analysed the flight schedules from the Middle East and Africa and identified a dozen non-American airlines from the region that fly to the US:

Arik Air from Lagos;
Egyptair from Cairo;
Emirates from Dubai and Athens;
Ethiopian from Addis Ababa,
Lome in Togo and Dublin;
Etihad from Abu Dhabi;
Kuwait Airways from Kuwait;
Qatar Airways from Doha;
Royal Air Maroc from Casablanca;
Royal Jordanian from Amman;
Saudia from Jeddah and Riyadh;
South African Airways from Johannesburg and Dakar;
and Turkish Airlines from Istanbul.

The reason for the ban was not immediately clear. David Lapan, a spokesman for Homeland Security Department, declined to comment. The Transportation Security Administration, part of Homeland Security, also declined to comment.

Royal Jordanian Airlines did however point out that medical devices were excluded from the ban. Everything else, the airline said, would need to be packed in checked luggage.

“Following instructions from the concerned US departments, we kindly inform our dearest passengers departing to and arriving from the United States that carrying any electronic or electrical device on board the flight cabins is strictly prohibited,” the airline tweeted.

“Prohibited devices, including for instance laptops, tablets, cameras, DVD players and electronic games … etc, can be carried in the checked baggage only.”


Source:http://howafrica.com/us-bans-electronic-devices-on-flights-from-8-muslim-countries-see-the-new-affected-african-nations/

9 Arab countries, including Morocco, have pulled out from the 4th Arab-African Summit in Malabo (Equatorial Guinea), in protest against the participation of the so-called Desert Polisario separatist delegation.

The countries that withdrew from the summit in solidarity with Morocco are Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Sultanate of Oman, Jordan, Yemen and Somalia.

Others are also expected to follow suit according to Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Desert Polisario separatist delegation talks of a ‘Sahrawi rebel national liberation movement’ aiming at ending Moroccan presence, in the Western Sahara. Western Sahara is home to the Algerian-backed Polisario Front in the region.
The ‘Sahrawi people’ are however, the people living in the western part of Sahara desert which includes Western Sahara, other parts of southern Morocco not claimed by the Polisario, most of Mauritania, and the extreme southwest of Algeria.

According to a press release issued by the Moroccan Foreign Affairs ministry;

“All these countries back Morocco in conformity with the principles of international law including the respect of sovereignty of countries and their territorial integrity, its high esteem” for the “brotherly African country” of Equatorial Guinea, Morocco recalls the “shared commitments” made by Arab and African countries during the 2nd and 3rd Arab-African summits held respectively in Libya in 2010 and Kuwait in 2013.

During these summits, Arab and African countries agreed that “only UN member countries” should be allowed to participate in the Arab-African summits.

The withdrawal of Morocco and its powerful Arab Gulf Countries has weakened the gathering which some countries used to undermine Moroccan sovereignty and territorial integrity but their plot blew up in the face.
They forgot that North African Kingdom is one of the strategic partners of the Arab rich Gulf monarchies. These countries support Moroccan territorial integrity and back its sovereignty over Sahara, hailing autonomy plan for the Moroccan Sahara.

Last April, Morocco and GCC convened in Riyadh their 1st summit meeting, a historical event that ushered in a new era in partnership between Rabat and the six-member powerful regional economic bloc, sharing common geostrategic, economic, and religious interests.

Meanwhile, Morocco withdrew from the AU in 1984, when the mineral-rich and sparsely populated Saharan Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), commonly known as Western Sahara, was accepted as a member. Morocco however requested to join the African Union again in September after 32 years, before its current reported withdrawal.

Source:http://howafrica.com/morocco-walks-out-of-arab-africa-summit-other-arab-countries-follow-suit-in-support/

According to UNICEF, almost 1.4 million children suffering from severe malnutrition could die this year from famine in Somalia, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Yemen.

In Yemen, where there has been war for nearly two years, 462,000 children are suffering from acute malnutrition while 450,000 children are severely malnourished in northeast Nigeria.

Fews Net, the famine early warning system, said some remote areas of Nigeria’s Borno state are already affected by famine since late last year and the disaster is likely to continue as aid agencies are unable to reach those in need.

Drought in Somalia has left 185,000 children on the brink of famine but that figure is expected to reach 270,000 in the next few months, said UNICEF.

In South Sudan, over 270,000 children are malnourished and a famine has just been declared in parts of Unity State in the north of the country, where 20,000 children live.

UNICEF director Anthony Lake appealed for quick action. “We can still save many lives,” he said.

UN Security Council ambassadors are due to travel to northern Nigeria, Cameroon, Chad and Niger next month to draw international attention to the humanitarian crisis triggered by the conflict with Boko Haram militants.


Source:http://howafrica.com/almost-1-4-million-children-face-famine-in-4-countries-check-out-the-african-countries-in-the-list/

Oluwatoyin Islamiyat Abdulkadir (pictured), emerged the best graduating student of the International University of Africa, IUA, located in Sudan recently. Oluwatoyin, an orphan, who once won the Oyo state essay writing competition on poverty eradication, had to work for a year after her secondary school education before she registered for JAMB.

She finally got admitted to the University Of Ibadan to study medicine, around the same time, she got a scholarship to study Nursing at IUA.

She had to choose Sudan because it was a scholarship and studying medicine in Nigeria without cash could be difficult. Interestingly, she graduated as a doctor because in her primordial year, she had a GPA of 3.61/4.00, above 3.50 (the school highest score then) and the Faculty of Medicine chose her to be one of her students. In her speech at the graduation ceremony, Oluwatoyin said:

“One certain thing I know about myself which can’t be disputed is that I am a living miracle of Allah. If you have searched for a proof of miracle but to no avail, look no further as I am here to testify to miracles of God. I will always be grateful to Allah, and my parents despite not living long to know more about them. To my mum and namesake, I know you were proud of me but I am much more proud and envious of you because you had a beautiful life crowned and gifted with a daughter that will never let your dream go with the wind.

I miss you and I wish you were here to witness today. You are blessed mum and I won’t say I love you instead I will say I love my existence for you because aside Allah and His prophet, the next person I live and exist for is YOU, I shall live to fulfill all your dreams. I Love you till the end of time, mom. continue to rest in peace.”


Source:http://howafrica.com/nigerian-lady-oluwatoyin-islamiyat-abdulkadir-emerges-best-graduating-medical-student-south-sudan/

You’ve seen the most excellent structures in Africa, and the tallest ones, however have you seen the most irregular or unusual ones? We’ve sought high and low to discover the most strange and exceptional structures all through the continent of Africa. Here are our top picks.
10. The Shoe, Ohrigstad, South Africa



The Shoe is sometimes called the “shoe house”. But it is actually a small museum displaying the wood carvings of artist Ron Van Zyl, who constructed it for his wife in 1990. The complex also includes a guest house, restaurant, pool, bar, and campsite.
9. The Big Pineapple, Bathurst, Eastern Cape, South Africa




Another bizarre structure built in the shape of a recognizable object is the Big Pineapple, which you can find in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. The giant fruit stands 16.7 meters tall, and is a tribute to the important role that the pineapple fruit plays in the region’s agricultural economy.

“Wait, isn’t this in Australia?” you might ask. If the pineapple looks familiar, that is because there is another one that looks pretty much identical on the Sunshine Coast in South East Queensland. The structure in South Africa is a deliberate copy. Inside there is an auditorium where you can watch a film about the local pineapple industry. There’s also an observation floor presenting beautiful views of the surroundings.
8. Kagga Kamma, Cederberg, South Africa




This is a nature reserve you will find in the Cederberg Mountains. The hotel is quite iconic, featuring rooms built to blend in with the natural environment, melding seamlessly into the rock face. The views are outstanding, and the structure leaves you feeling totally immersed in nature. Note that these are not actual cave rooms, but they do provide a lovely illusion.
7. 15 Alice Lane Towers, Johannesburg, South Africa




Constructed by Paragon Architects, these whimsical skyscrapers feature unusual curved sides and neon outlines. The glass and aluminium façade is futuristic, but has a fanciful look and feel. The two towers are connected by a narrow atrium.
6. Nahemba Tower, Brazzaville, Congo




Here is another towering edifice which is quite unusual. Also referred to as the “Elf Tower,” this office skyscraper has a base which is narrower than the rest of the structure. This gives it a precarious look, like it could topple at any moment.
5. St. Paul’s Cathedral in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast)




This Roman Catholic cathedral was designed by Aldo Spirito, and features an unusual modern sculpture out front which soars dramatically in front of the building itself. The stained glass windows are also noteworthy, featuring lovely images reflecting the natural beauty and culture of the locale.
4. Centre International des Civilisations Bantu (CICIBA), Libreville, Gabon




This cultural organization dates back to 1983, and studies the Bantu peoples. Its centre was quite an unusual and intriguing structure, which sadly fell into disrepair and was abandoned in 1988 because there was not enough funding to maintain it. A few years ago, plans were announced to work on reviving it.
3. Basilica of Our Lady of Peace, Yamoussoukro, Côte d’Ivoire




This massive church makes this list because of its colossal size. The architecture itself is not particularly unusual, but the sheer scale of it boggles the mind. People seen walking its courtyard appear unnaturally tiny. In fact, the basilica is listed in the Guinness World Records as the largest church in the world, displacing the record previously held by St. Peter’s Basilica. The total area is 30,000 square metres, while the total height is 158 metres.

Despite this fact, it can only hold 18,000 worshippers—contrast that with the 60,000 capacity of St. Peter’s Basilica. This is because the area of the Basilica of Our Lady of Peace also incorporates a villa and rectory.

Ironically, the Christian population of Côte d’Ivoire is not that large, so only a few hundred worshippers regularly attend the services. That’s a lot of empty space—so this is a great place for tourists to stop in and not get overwhelmed by crowds.
2. Great Mosque of Djenné, Djenné, Mopti, Mali




One more fascinating structures in Africa with an unusual design is the Great Mosque of Djenné. Located on the flood plain of the Bani River, the mosque features adobe construction in the Sudano-Sahelian architectural style. While there was previously a mosque on the site constructed back in the 13th century, this one traces its origin to 1907.

The structure is actually made out of a large number of earthen bricks, but it is coated with plaster, which is why the walls look smooth. The sticks decorating the building are bundles of rodier palm, and are referred to as “toron.” They serve a functional purpose as well, functioning as scaffolding for the yearly repairs that are required for the mosque’s upkeep. This annual maintenance is actually a festival, complete with food and entertainment.
1. BCEAO Tower, Bamako, Mali




One more beautiful and imposing building in Mali is the famous BCEAO Tower. At 20 stories, it is the tallest structure in the country and sits on the Niger River. While the Great Mosque of Djenné was an example of traditional Sudano-Sahelian architecture, the BCEAO Tower is a stunning example of neo-Sudanic architecture, incorporating traditional elements with a modern flair. It serves as the Malian headquarters for the Central Bank of West African States.

Now you are familiar with some of the most unusual buildings throughout Africa, and you have also learned some more about the different styles of architecture you can see if you get a chance to visit. Be sure to check out the other articles on our site to discover even more beautiful structures.


Source:http://howafrica.com/top-10-most-atypical-buildings-in-africa/

In the course of history, there have been instances of one group of people discriminating against the other. It is an animalistic tendency that we as a society have been trying for long to do away with but are failing in attempt over and over again. In today’s modern times, the majority of the world has accepted this complex problem. A problem complicated by long-standing hatred, bloodshed in past and stereotypical notions formed years earlier and still being carried on. Though racism is a global phenomenon and is found in varying amount on every continent and country, sadly some countries suffer from it more. Here are some countries which are relatively more in the grasp of this complicated problem!

10. South Africa

A bayside sign-post indicates a 'White Area' during Apartheid in South Africa, June 23, 1976. (AP Photo)

Racism in South Africa, like in many other African nations is an important factor in Post-Colonial context. The most probable reason of its existence in the region is due the formation of national allies as well as European Colonialism which has, over the period of centuries reshuffled the dwelling locations of closely knit tribes and populous, under the horrid living condition that colonialism entails, thereby giving way to racial attitudes and tribal warfare. Apart from Colonial racism, Apartheid or the system of Racial Segregation in South Africa was also enforced by the National Party (NP) in 1948. Officially, apartheid was abolished in 1991, but the right to votes was not given to the non-whites until 1993. Though, much progress has been made against racism in South Africa, the cup of racism-free South Africa remains far from being full.

9. The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland



The Racism related to the United Kingdom can be classified into two parts. The first one is the racism perpetuating in the UK since the beginning of World War 2. The United Kingdom exhibited discrimination against Immigration, specifically of Jewish descent after the second world war. Since then there have been many instances of racism up until early 2000 though many laws such as Race Relations Act 1965 had been passed. In the new millennium, there have been growing instances of race hate crimes against the South Asian immigrants, mostly in Ireland and Scotland. The second part was the seeds of racism, planted by the British Empire during its colonial rule in Asia, Africa, and America.

8. Germany



Germany in the past has been one of the most racist countries in the world. To name a few, Germany committed organized race crimes in what now is Namibia, which has come to be known as Herero and Namaqua Genocide. The policies against the Polish people were motivated by racial sentiments and then there is the Holocaust, which was the epitome of Racial Hatred in human history. The Eugenics and white supremacist sentiment is still present in few rather small factions of Germany and are known by the names of Neo-Nazi. Even the political party National Democratic Party of Germany has been said to have Neo-fascist leanings though the statement is controversial and debatable.

7. Jordan



Racism in Jordan is quite prevalent in the way similar to Southeast Asia and certain other middle eastern countries. After the establishment of the state of Israel and multiple invasion by the Israel over the Palestinians, there has been an influx of immigrant from Palestine in Jordan. Such a high, immigration has resulted in a sentiment of hate towards the foreigners as well. Though, American and European foreigners are not subjected to racial bias, there have been instances of discrimination against dark-skinned people.

6. Russia


Racism in Russia is generally directed towards the People of Caucasus or Caucasians, Jews, Africans and Central Asians. Fiercely nationalist, the Russians have been known to be extremely xenophobic and according to a survey in 2008, close to fifty percent of the people were found to express racist thoughts. According to Amnesty International in 2006, there were more than 85,000 Russian Neo-Nazis in Russia and the racism was getting out of control. Many racially fueled crimes were committed during this period. Though, since 2008, Russia has seen a gradual decline in hate crimes.

5. U.S.A



Racism in the USA can be talked in two contexts, first the historical one in which the atrocities committed against people of African American community as well as against the native Americans is well known. Up until the 1960s, the social atmosphere for people of African American and Native Americans was quite toxically charged and many crimes were committed in the name of the race. Second is the present one. Over the period of time, USA has developed such a taboo of talking about race, that it even refuses to admit that it has institutional racism still present in the country. Rather an opinion expressed in mainstream media is that only racist talk about racism. Though legally abolished, racism exists in the USA, which can be seen by the fact that majority of the incarcerated populace in the country comprises of the minorities, yet America refuses to accept it.

4. Pakistan



The main racially fueled sentiment in Pakistan is that of Anti-Semitism. Though it is not that prevalent in the younger generation, but historically at the time of Israel’s independence in 1948, the Jewish community suffered racial hatred of exponential measure. Also there’s a mutual friction between Pakistan and India, but that can not be described as racist because both share an overlapping heritage, rather it is more political and religious in nature. There’s also the stereotype prevalent in Southeast Asia of considering fair skinned superior and darker skin as inferior. Thus, this notion has been inbred in the thought process of Pakistan Nationals as well.

3. India



India has an extremely complex societal structure. Many religions, ethnicities, and other groups dwell here and thus filling it with an extremely diverse group of people and that too in large numbers. Apart from the Hindu-Muslim conflicts inside the country, which are not as much racist because of the common ethnicity but rather religious bursts of friction, India indeed has racism deeply embedded in its system. First, there is the racial discrimination of the North Eastern people of the country, who have been mistreated by the national government and a lot of citizens over the years. Secondly, there is the racial hatred towards the people from slightly stereotyped states like Bihar. The foreigners in India are subject to similarly segregated treatment as is prevalent in Southeast Asia, the fairer skin is automatically favored upon while dark skinned people both non-natives and even natives are considered inferior.

2. Saudi Arabia



There are many forms of Racism in Saudi Arabia. The prominent of which are the racism against the non-citizens or the foreign labor workers. There is a prevalent xenophobic sentiment in Saudi Arabia. Racism against the Non-tribalist and people of Non-Bedouin origin is also common. Apart from this, religious sects, particularly the Shia sect of Islam in the southern and the eastern part of the country face racism. Saudi Arabia is one of the most racist countries of the middle east. About ten percent of the people are are denied equal rights and no black person can hold a governmental position. Saudi Arabia has been named as the Middle East’s Apartheid state.

1. Iran



Iranian Racism is an extremely complex cobweb of hypocritical notions, which has its roots in the Hitler’s quest of Aryan supremacy. Historically, during 1786, it was controversially but popularly established by many scholars that the roots of white Nordic is linked to parts of Asia and Iran, this race later came to be known as the so-called ‘Aryans’. Even after the fall of Nazism, the Iranian elite scholars and government built on the notion of Aryans having Iranian roots and recreated the definition of Arya as a purely racial group and how the Iranians were the true carriers of this “superior bloodline”. This gave way to the racism against the Non-Aryans, the Turks and the Semites of the country. In 1934, the name of the country was changed to Iran and defined as the “The land of Aryans”. The idea of fixed Aryan/Persian identity has been deliberately imposed on Iran with no thoughts to its diversity and social dynamism. Since 1979, Shi’ist fundamentalism and Khomeinism have been added to the existing Aryanist racism in Iran.

One must not forget that the manifestation of racism depends on the racial diversity and polarity in the region. In other words, it can not be measured in a simplistic way and depicted through colors like it was done by the Washington post. A complicated problem deserves more than a cursory glance!


Source:http://howafrica.com/top-10-racist-countries-world-sa-rwanda-new-list/

They all live in a four storied building with 100 rooms in a mountainous village in Mizoram state, sharing borders with Burma and Bangladesh, according to reports.

“I once married 10 women in one year,” Ziona Chana said.

His wives share a dormitory near Ziona’s private bedroom and locals said he likes to have seven or eight of them by his side at all times.

The sons and their wives, and all their children, live in different rooms in the same building, but share a common kitchen.

The wives take turns cooking, while his daughters clean the house and do washing. The men do outdoor jobs like farming and taking care of livestock.

The family, all 167 of them, consumes around 200lb of rice and more than 130lb of potatoes a day. They are supported by their own resources and occasional donations from followers.

“Even today, I am ready to expand my family and willing to go to any extent to marry,” Ziona said.

“I have so many people to care (for) and look after, and I consider myself a lucky man.”

Mr Chana met his oldest wife, who is three years older than he is, when he was 17.

He heads a local Christian religious sect, called the “Chana”, which allows polygamy. Formed in June 1942, the sect believes it will soon be ruling the world with Christ and has a membership of around 400 families.




Source:http://howafrica.com/indian-man-with-39-wives-94-children-and-33-grandchildren/

The estranged wife of incoming Lesotho Prime Minister Thomas Thabane has been shot dead two days before his inauguration.

Lipolelo Thabane, 58, was travelling home with a friend when both women were shot by an unknown assailant, the police say.

The police add the motive is unknown and an investigation is continuing.

The couple had been living separately since 2012 and filed for divorce which hasn’t been granted yet.

BBC southern Africa correspondent Karen Allen reports that neighbours claim there had been an incident earlier in the week when a group of unidentified men were spotted hammering on the First Lady’s door.

She won a high court battle against her husband to secure the privileges of a First Lady, instead of Mr Thabane’s youngest wife, Liabiloe, reports the AFP news agency.

Mr Thabane is now living with a third wife.

Samonyane Ntsekele, the secretary general of Mr Thabane’s All Basotho Convention party, told AFP that the prime minister was devastated by the shooting.

“Everyone is traumatised by these developments,” he said.

The election took place earlier this month and was the third election in three years.

There is a bitter power-struggle in the country and Mr Thabane still has enemies in the military, our correspondent adds.

His inauguration is still expected to take place on Friday.


Source:http://howafrica.com/breaking-wife-of-incoming-lesothos-prime-minister-dr-thomas-thabane-has-been-shot-dead/

Musa, a 43-year-old businessman from Port Shepstone, KZN, has declared that one wife is not enough.

Speaking to Daily Sun he said his four wives“ Busisiwe MaCele, Nokukhanya MaYeni, Thobile Mseleku and Mbali MaNgwabe are happy to be married to him.
He said although some people have criticised him, he wanted to change people's perceptions of polygamy. I want to show men that you can be in a polygamous relationship and also be considerate.

My wives impose restrictions on me. I have to be home an hour earlier than them so I can prepare to spend time with all of them, he said. His wives have nothing but love and praise for him.
Thobile said: I knew what I was getting into and didn't have a problem with it. I also come from a polygamous family. She said the other wives are like sisters to her and they all rely on each other for advice and help.


Source:http://howafrica.com/one-wife-is-not-enough-south-african-polygamist-urges-men-to-emulate-him/

A brutal tradition in which women from the Hamar tribe in Ethiopia get whipped to demonstrate their love for their men has been spotlighted by photographer Jeremy Hunter.

The women of this tribe engage in a tribal ceremony during which they are flogged to show the sacrifices they make for their men.
The tradition is known as Ukuli Bula and is done as part of a Rite of Passage ceremony for boys.

To reach manhood, Hamar boys must undergo two rituals: circumcision and a leap over the bulls. This determines whether the young Hamar male is ready to make the social jump from youth to adulthood. During this ceremony, their female family members declare their love for the young men and to prove the sacrifice they are willing to endure, they beg men to whip them.

After the ceremony held in the Omo River Valley, the boy becomes a man and is now allowed to marry.

Hunter shared a series of photographs documenting the ceremony and revealed that after the whipping, tradition allows those women to call on help from those who marked them if ever they are in need of help. Young Hamar women sometimes coat their bodies with butter to lessen the effect of the whipping.
See more photos below….












Source:http://howafrica.com/meet-ethiopias-hamar-tribe-women-flogged-mercilessly-order-show-love-men/

Watermelon is an extremely popular fruit. While we all enjoy eating this sweet refreshing fruit, we usually discard the tiny seeds scattered in it without realising or rather knowing of their health benefits. These seeds are loaded with nutrients including fatty acids, essential proteins and lots of minerals. These seeds are rich in vitamin B like thiamine, niacin, folate and minerals like magnesium, potassium, manganese, iron, zinc, phosphorus and copper. Besides, they are a great source of calories with 100 grammes of watermelon seeds providing around 600 grammes of calories.


Watermelon seeds, also called as ‘tarbooj ke beej‘ in Hindi are used in Asian and Middle Eastern cuisines. Roasted watermelon seeds are served as a snack or used to garnish salads. In Nigeria, they are used in certain soups. Watermelon seed oil is extracted from these seeds which are beneficial for your hair and skin. To say the least, watermelon seeds are edible and can be a healthy option.
As stated earlier, watermelon seeds are a rich source of nutrients and minerals and therefore, should not be discarded. These seeds have a hard outer covering so they should be chewed before swallowing to get their nutritional content. Some of the health benefits of watermelon seeds are given below.

1. Your body requires amino acids but there are some essential amino acids such as arginine and lysine which the body cannot produce on its own and these have to be provided from food sources. Watermelon seeds contain some of these essential amino acids such as tryptophan and glutamic acids. Lysine helps in calcium absorption to facilitate the formation of collagen and connective tissues in the body whereas arginine improves the body’s metabolism, cardiovascular system and sexual health.

2. Watermelon seeds are good sources of magnesium with 100 grammes of seeds providing 139 percent of the recommended daily requirement. Magnesium is vital for normal heart functioning, maintenance of normal blood pressure, supporting metabolic process and protein synthesis. It is also beneficial in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and hypertension besides controlling blood pressure and diabetes.

3. Watermelon seeds contain lycopene which is good for your face and also helps in improving male fertility.

4. These seeds are excellent sources of multivitamin B and can replace some of the supplements. Vitamin B present in watermelon seeds comprises of niacin, folate, thiamine, riboflavin, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid. B vitamins are vital for maintaining healthy blood, nervous system and effective immune response.

5. These seeds can be used for treating diabetes. Boil a handful of watermelon seeds in 1 litre water for 45 minutes, keeping the pot covered. This concoction should be taken every day like tea.

6. Watermelon seeds are effective in recovering health after illness and sharpening your memory.

7. Almost half of the watermelon seed contains oil which comprises of 20 percent saturated fat and the rest monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fat including omega-6 fatty acids. One cup of dried watermelon seeds contains around 50 grammes of fat which constitutes about 80 percent of the daily recommended value. Thus, watermelon seeds are an important source of calories and energy.


S0urce:http://howafrica.com/7-health-benefits-of-watermelon-seeds/

Lowell Correctional Institution in Florida is one of the largest women’s corrections facilities in the United States, and it is also notorious for being one of the most corrupt and brutal. Recently, numerous inmates have come forward with allegations that they were routinely sexually abused and assaulted by both male and female guards.

According to various complaints filed between 2011 and 2015, female inmates would be forced to “barter” sexual acts with guards in exchange for basic necessities like soap and food. According to the complaints, women at Lowell who submitted to the sexual demands of the guards were rewarded with the best food and living supplies available. Meanwhile, women who refused were harassed, neglected, denied basic necessities, and sometimes put in solitary confinement. In many cases, women were put through psychological evaluations and labeled as mentally ill as a result of refusing the guard’s sexual advances.

In one case, a woman named Latandra Ellington attempted to file a complaint against the guards at Lowell, saying that she was being sexually assaulted, and she was murdered just days later. According to family members, Latandra may have been planning to speak out about the rampant sexual abuse that the correctional officers at the prison have been inflicting on the inmates.

Marion County Chief Assistant State Attorney Ric Ridgway told the Miami Herald that the s*x taking place in these situations was “consensual,” however it is obvious that women in prison are dependent upon the mercy of these guards for their survival, and that the sexual acts in these situations were coerced.

“Some of these issues and complaints are well founded, and there are things that are happening that clearly are illegal and should not have happened, The harsh reality is if an inmate says ‘an officer has s*x with me’ and that’s all you’ve got, you don’t have a prayer. For many Lowell inmates, it’s something they are not forced into doing. It’s consensual, which doesn’t make it legal, but they say, ‘Hey I get better food, I get cellphones,’ so essentially they make a trade,” Ridgeway admitted.

Attorney Aaron Johnson, who spoke to several of the inmates, believes that the sexual activity was absolutely coerced.

“What I saw was that some of the girls were truly victims of rape and sexual assault and battery. I believed them when they told me it was unsolicited, uninvited and a nightmare,” Johnson argued.

The allegations sparked an investigation by the Miami Herald, which revealed that complaints of rape were frequently silenced by the staff at the prison.

They come up and handcuff you. Then they say something like, ‘I found this razor blade in your stuff’ and you say ‘that’s not mine’ and they say ‘well, it is now’; or they say ‘oh, you spit on me’ and I say ‘what are you talking about?’ and they say ‘do you know that that is assault? You’re going to do a year and a half in confinement unless you do what I want you to do,’” former inmate Ginjer Ullman told investigators.

“If you report you are raped, you sit in a 10-by-12 cell with nothing but your uniform, and they close the door. They put you under investigation, they say for your own safety, then they leave you there until you write up a witness statement that it never happened,” another inmate, Crystal Harper said.

The Herald’s investigation confirmed that when inmates made a complaint, they were forced into solitary confinement.

In the past decade, only two officers were arrested for sexual misconduct at the prison, but both of them pleaded guilty to a lesser charge and only spent a few months in jail.

“The so-called punishment for an officer who rapes an inmate is to get transferred to another facility. Florida’s prisons allow officers to rape women in prison because the inmates aren’t considered to have any rights,” Nancy G. Abudu, legal director for the ACLU of Florida pointed out.



Source:http://howafrica.com/video-at-americas-largest-womens-prison-inmates-forced-to-have-sex-for-basic-necessities/