The festive season has become synonymous with celebration, food, drinks, reconnecting with family as well as gift giving.

Prof Alan Fowler the Honorary Professor in African Philanthropy at the University of the Witwatersrand has over the years undertaken various studies looking at where gifting came from as a human behavior, and its history in Africa. 

He says while gifting began in Africa, when the first humans like emerged, it then evolved as people migrated and was adapted to fit different cultures. Early examples of these involved the transfer of cattle or women to seal relationships between groups.

 He joins spoke to Peter Ndoro to share more.

The festive season has become synonymous with celebration, food, drinks, reconnecting with family as well as gift giving.
Prof Alan Fowler the Honorary Professor in African Philanthropy at the University of the Witwatersrand has over the years undertaken various studies looking at where gifting came from as a human behavior, and its history in Africa.&nbsp;
He says while gifting began in Africa, when the first humans like emerged, it then evolved as people migrated and was adapted to fit different cultures. Early examples of these involved the transfer of cattle or women to seal relationships between groups.
&nbsp;He joins spoke to Peter Ndoro to share more.

Africa Rise & Shine

Gift giving has always been about power: Prof Alan Fowler

The territorial dispute between Malawi and Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Malawi has sparked intense debate and concern for decades.

Just this year, Tanzania has taken significant steps that have reignited tensions, including the construction of the Mbamba Bay Port on the disputed waters and the introduction of school maps depicting the border differently from Malawi's position.

Malawi, meanwhile, cites historical treaties, while Tanzania leans on international conventions, creating a stalemate that appears far from resolution.

To help us unpack the historical roots of this issue, explore why it has taken so long to resolve, and discuss the potential consequences of inaction is Dr. George Chaima, an expert in government, public planning, and international policy in Malawi's capital of Lilongwe

The territorial dispute between Malawi and Tanzania over the boundary in Lake Malawi has sparked intense debate and concern for decades.
Just this year, Tanzania has taken significant steps that have reignited tensions, including the construction of the Mbamba Bay Port on the disputed waters and the introduction of school maps depicting the border differently from Malawi's position.
Malawi, meanwhile, cites historical treaties, while Tanzania leans on international conventions, creating a stalemate that appears far from resolution.
To help us unpack the historical roots of this issue, explore why it has taken so long to resolve, and discuss the potential consequences of inaction is Dr. George Chaima, an expert in government, public planning, and international policy in Malawi's capital of Lilongwe

Delays continue in territorial dispute between Malawi & Tanzania over boundary in Lake Malawi

The year 2024 saw at least 17 countries in Africa hold elections. In the Southern Africa region, elections saw ruling liberation movements lose their stronghold and youth leadership became a key trend. But even with the changing political landscape, women seem to still be left behind.

While Namibians elected their first female President in Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Botswana, which has been hailed for its model democracy, saw only 28 women stand for parliament out of 258 contestants, and from that, only three women won their seats.


In his recent article Dr David Mandiyanike, Senior lecturer at the University of Botswana and Research Associate at North West University in South Africa interrogated this, asking where are the women?

The year 2024 saw at least 17 countries in Africa hold elections. In the Southern Africa region, elections saw ruling liberation movements lose their stronghold and youth leadership became a key trend. But even with the changing political landscape, women seem to still be left behind.
While Namibians elected their first female President in Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Botswana, which has been hailed for its model democracy, saw only 28 women stand for parliament out of 258 contestants, and from that, only three women won their seats.
 In his recent article Dr David Mandiyanike, Senior lecturer at the University of Botswana and Research Associate at North West University in South Africa interrogated this, asking where are the women?

What is holding women back from political participation?

Tensions in Mozambique have reached a critical point this week following the nation's top court's decision on Monday to uphold the presidential election results in favor of Daniel Chapo, the candidate for Frelimo, which has been in power since Mozambique's independence from Portugal in 1975.

Since the announcement, violent clashes between police and protesters have resulted in at least 56 fatalities, marking a sharp escalation in unrest fueled by allegations that the election was rigged by the ruling party.  

In a dramatic development at Maputo Central Prison, which houses 2 500 inmates, more than 1 530 prisoners escaped on Wednesday. The escape attempt turned deadly, with 33 prisoners killed and 15 injured during confrontations with guards trying to regain control of the facility.  

To shed light on how these protests are affecting residents, Peter Ndoro spoke to Domingos Bihale, a resident of Mozambique's capital, Maputo.

Tensions in Mozambique have reached a critical point this week following the nation's top court's decision on Monday to uphold the presidential election results in favor of Daniel Chapo, the candidate for Frelimo, which has been in power since Mozambique's independence from Portugal in 1975.
Since the announcement, violent clashes between police and protesters have resulted in at least 56 fatalities, marking a sharp escalation in unrest fueled by allegations that the election was rigged by the ruling party. &nbsp;
In a dramatic development at Maputo Central Prison, which houses 2 500 inmates, more than 1 530 prisoners escaped on Wednesday. The escape attempt turned deadly, with 33 prisoners killed and 15 injured during confrontations with guards trying to regain control of the facility. &nbsp;
To shed light on how these protests are affecting residents, Peter Ndoro spoke to Domingos Bihale, a resident of Mozambique's capital, Maputo.

Gift giving has always been about power: Prof Alan Fowler

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