Blog

Rest In Peace Hip Hop Pantsula

Jabulani Tsambo, better known by his stage name Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), was a South African Motswako rapper who performed in several languages, mostly in Setswana.

People, MusicOtto Gumaelius24 October 2018Hip Hop Pantsula, HHP, Jabba, Motswako, Mafikeng, Setswana, Jabulani Tsambo

Queen Anna Nzinga

Queen Ana Nzinga, also known as Njinga Mbande or Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande, was a 17th-century queen of the Ndongo and Matamba Kingdoms of the Mbundu people in Angola.

People, HistoryOtto Gumaelius22 October 2018Anna Nzinga, Njinga Mbande, Ana de Sousa Nzinga Mbande, Angola, Matamba, Ndongo, KinaxixiComment

Dr Joyce Hilda Banda

Dr Joyce Hilda Banda is a Malawian politician who was the President of Malawi from 2012 to 2014. She was the first woman to hold the positions of vice president and president in Malawi.

PeopleOtto Gumaelius18 October 2018Malawi, Joyce Banda, People's Party, Joyce Banda Foundation, National Association of Business Women, Young Women Leaders Network, Hunger Project, Bingu Wa MutharikaComment

Eduardo Mondlane

Eduardo Chivambo Mondlane was the founding President of the Mozambican Liberation Front (FRELIMO) from 1962 until his assassination in 1969.

People, HistoryOtto Gumaelius16 October 2018Eduardo Mondlane, Mozambique, Gaza, Tsonga, Wits University, FRELIMOComment

Lozikeyi Dlodlo

Ndlovukazi Lozikeyi Dlodlo was the regent queen of the Ndebele kingdom after King Lobengula’s death in 1894. She was a fierce force against the colonising forces trying to take over Matabeleland.

People, HistoryOtto Gumaelius12 October 2018Lozikeyi Dlodlo, Ndebele, Zimbabwe, Impi Yehlok'elibomvu, The War of the Red Axe, Matabele, Lobengula

Zackie Achmat

Abdurrazack Zackie Achmat is a South African activist and film director. He is a co-founder the Treatment Action Campaign and known worldwide for his activism on behalf of people living with HIV and AIDS in South Africa.

PeopleOtto Gumaelius9 October 2018South Africa, Zackie Achmat, HIV/AIDS, Simon Nkoli, ARV, TAC, Thabo Mbeki, Manto Tshabalala-Manto

Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana

Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana was a spirit medium of the Shona people of Zimbabwe. She was a leading figure in the first revolt (Chimurenga) against the British South Africa Company's colonisation in 1986.

People, HistoryOtto Gumaelius5 October 2018Nehanda Charwe Nyakasikana, Mbuya Nehanda, Chimurenga, Shona, ZimbabweComment

Kgosi Mosadi Seboko

Kgosi Mosadi Seboko of the Bamalete tribe of Botswana is the first woman chief in Botswana’s history

PeopleOtto Gumaelius3 October 2018Botswana, Kgosi, Mosadi Seboko, Bamalete, Ramotswa, Kgosikgolo, Kgosigadi, Mokgosi, Chief, Patriarchy, Equal Rights, Equality, Gender

Chief Albert Luthuli

Chief Albert Luthuli was Africa’s first Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, awarded to him in 1960.

People, HistoryOtto Gumaelius1 October 2018Albert Luthuli, Nobel Peace Prize, Apartheid, Nokukhanya, ANCComment

Remembering Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Remembering Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela

Mama Winnie Madikizela-Mandela would have been 82 years old today.

PeopleOtto Gumaelius26 September 2018South Africa, Winnie Madikizela-Mandela, Mandela, ApartheidComment

Traditional Chakalaka Recipe

London based South African foodie, Sandile Rahube, recently shared his delicious Chakalaka recipe with Taste of Southern Africa. Chakalaka is easy and quick to prepare, and the perfect relish to add to any meal.

RecipiesOtto Gumaelius10 April 2018South Africa, Cuisine, Botswana, Chakalaka, Relish, FoodComment

African Penguins of Boulders Beach

Nestled just outside Simon's Town is Boulder's Beach, home to an incredible colony of African Penguins, and the only place in the world where people can come so close to them.

Tourist AttractionsOtto Gumaelius11 March 2018South Africa, African Penguin, Boulders Beach, Flase Bay, Simon's Town, Cape PeninsulaComment

The OvaHimba of Namibia and Angola

The OvaHimba people of northern Namibia and southern Angola are particularly known for covering their hair and skin in Otjize paste, which gives them a beautiful, rich red colour.

CultureOtto Gumaelius17 February 2018Himba, Namibia, OtjizeComment

Tsodilo Hills

Tsodilo Hills in Botswana is home to one of the highest collections of rock art in the world.

HeritageOtto Gumaelius7 January 2018Tsodilo, Kgalagadi, Botswana, Rock Art, Cave Paintings, UNESCO, World Heritage SiteComment

Mokomoto Kalanga Traditional Dance

Mokomoto is one of the many lively traditional dances of the Kalanga people of Botswana and Zimbabwe.

Culture, DanceOtto Gumaelius13 December 2017Ngwao Letshwao, Kalanga, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Dance, Traditional Music, MokomotoComment

Umrhubhe

Introducing Umrhubhe, a traditional mouth bow played by the Xhosa people of the eastern cape of South Africa.

Culture, MusicOtto Gumaelius11 November 2017Umrhubhe, Madosini Manqina, Xhosa, South Africa, Eastern CapeComment

Launch of Taste of Southern Africa Festival UK

Launch of Taste of Southern Africa Festival UK

On October 21st in London, marimba percussionist Otto Gumaelius launched the Taste of Southern Africa Festival, a weekend of activities celebrating the cultural arts of southern Africa.

EventsOtto Gumaelius23 October 2017Taste of Southern Africa, Marimba, Mbira, Drumming, Singing, Dance, Mozambique, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South AfricaComment

Katara Music Of Botswana

In Botswana, a number of instruments have been adopted and adapted to folk music in recent times, including the four string guitar, locally called Katara.

MusicOtto Gumaelius10 October 2017Katara, Botswana, Ronnie MoipolaiComment

Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika

South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia (and previously Namibia and Zimbabwe) all share the same national anthem, but does anyone know who actually composed the song?

HistoryOtto Gumaelius28 September 2017South Africa, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika, Enoch Sontonga, ANC, African National Congress, Mungu Ibaraki Afrika, Ishe Komborera AfrikaComment

The Origins Of Leteise (Shweshwe / Ujamani) Fabric

The Origins Of Leteise (Shweshwe / Ujamani) Fabric

Leteise is a popular fabric worn by Batswana women. It is also popular amongst the Xhosa of South Africa and Basotho of Lesotho. Many consider it a traditional fabric, but is it?

Culture, FashionOtto Gumaelius22 September 2017Letoitse, Botswana, Geremane, German Print, Shweshwe, Leteise, Xhosa, Lesotho Comment