Forty-eight years ago, on 12 September 1977, South Africa lost one of its most uncompromising voices for black liberation. Stephen Bantu Biko, the charismatic leader of the Black Consciousness Movement, died in police custody at just 30 years old. His body bore the marks of brutality, his voice was silenced, but his ideas—about self-reliance, dignity, and the power of the black mind—continue to echo through South Africa and beyond. Today, as the country commemorates his death, the National Prosecuting Authority…

Known on the field play as LTD, a devout liberation seeker off the field, Nkosi Molala’s life on earth totalled 64 years. LTD stood for “Let Them Dance”. This was a nom de guerre Nkosi Molala got for his bewitching football wizardry. In the spell of his juggling presence, the soccer ball delighted under his happy feet to thrill fans, ripping applause on grandstands, met with obliging standing ovations for scored or enabled goal scored, for the referee to order…

The Otter Trail in Tsitsikamma National Park is famous for its beauty — and for the heavy bags hikers must carry. Now, a local man from Nompumelelo Village has found a way to make it easier. Burton Mlandu, 46, started a company called Burton Otter Slackpacking and Transfers. His team carries bags for hikers along the five-day, 42-kilometer trail, which runs from Storms River Rest Camp to Nature’s Valley. “I used to work for SANParks, but I’m more of an…

The sun hung low over Lusaka’s Olympia neighborhood, casting a warm glow on the quiet street leading to Vernon Johnson Mwaanga’s residence. Known to Zambians as “VJ,” this towering figure in the nation’s history welcomed me into his home, a place brimming with artifacts and ornaments collected from his travels around the world, each piece a testament to a life steeped in diplomacy and history. I had come to talk about Kenneth Kaunda, Zambia’s founding president, and his role in…

MAHASHA RAMPEDI The Krasnoyarsk Hydroelectric Power Plant in the Siberian region of Russia is more than just an engineering feat. It seems to be a symbol of how hydropower can secure energy resilience while harmonising with nature.  In an era of climate crisis and energy wars, this mega dam in Krasnoyarsk city reminds the world that the mightiest rivers, when harnessed wisely, can light up civilisations without burning the planet.   Additionally, it highlights why hydroelectric power is responsible for 14%…

From the dusty army barracks of Cranborne in Harare to coaching one of Japan’s top women’s volleyball teams, Zimbabwean-born Murray Pole Ndlovu’s journey is a story of faith, resilience and purpose. Now an assistant coach at Okayama Seagulls, a professional team in Japan’s elite S.V League, Ndlovu’s rise is anything but ordinary. His story begins in a military camp, takes root in Zimbabwe’s modest volleyball scene, and grows into a quiet revolution for African sports representation abroad. Early Beginnings in…

In December 2024, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting Abidjan, Ivory Coast’s bustling cultural and economic hub, to attend the Abidjan International Film Festival (SICA) at the invitation of the Ministry of Communication of that country. While the primary purpose of my trip was to engage in the festival’s activities, my time in Abidjan was filled with a diverse range of experiences that highlighted the city’s unique blend of nature, architecture, and vibrant nightlife. Immersing in Nature: A Walk-Through…

Join Xinhua correspondent Yao Kaien as she challenges herself to dive into the exotic flavors and culture. You will be surprised by how deep the ties run between China and Central Asia. African Times has published this article in partnership with Xinhua News Agency

Nestled deep within the Nujiang Grand Canyon, unique ethnic cultures are driving rural revitalisation in Yunnan Province’s Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. Relying on its rich intangible cultural heritage, the region integrates agriculture, culture, and tourism to create new opportunities for once-isolated communities.  Melodies of joy   When approaching Baihualing Village in the prefecture’s Lushui City, visitors are greeted by a vibrant sea of mountain flowers and the distant sound of music. Surrounded by forests and accompanied by the rustling of the…

During Harare’s jacaranda blooming season, the streets are filled with a rich floral fragrance. It was this captivating aroma that first caught the attention of Zhao Ke, then a 28-year-old man, as he paused to take it in. Little did he know that this moment would mark the beginning of a nearly three-decade-long connection with Zimbabwe.  Now 56, Zhao, a Chinese entrepreneur from Liaoning Province, arrived in Zimbabwe in 1996 to establish his business. With sharp business acumen and unwavering…