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Category: The Torch

Cyberbullying campaign kicks off in Uganda
November 11, 2019
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| Africa, East Africa, Illustrations, News, North Africa, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, West Africa, World

“If you are neutral in situations of injustice, you have chosen the side of the oppressor. If an elephant has its foot on the tail of a mouse and you say that you are neutral, the mouse will not appreciate your neutrality.”  Desmond Tutu One may call the above quote from Archbishop Desmond Tutu a warning, but it sounds more than that. It equally captures the lingering – and often neglected – social problems facing the world today, especially African…

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ICC to deliver sentence in Ntaganda case on 7 November 2019
October 29, 2019
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| Africa, Illustrations, News, Politics, The Torch, World

On 7 November 2019 at 10:00 (The Hague local time), the Trial Chamber VI of the International Criminal Court (“ICC” or “the Court”), will deliver its decision on sentencing in the case The Prosecutor v. Bosco Ntaganda pursuant to article 76 of the Rome Statute. Trial Chamber VI, composed of Judge Robert Fremr, Presiding Judge, Judge Kuniko Ozaki and Judge Chang-ho Chung will deliver its decision in open court in Courtroom 1. On 8 July 2019, Trial Chamber VI found…

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Searching for the justice: The ICC and war-crime indictment
September 24, 2019
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| East Africa, Illustrations, News, North Africa, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, West Africa, World

It is hardly a secret that in many African countries today, the name, ICC (International Criminal Court) is received with some degree of scepticism. One of the reasons for the negative perception amongst Africans is not unconnected with the fact that Africans top the list of individuals indicted by the ICC. The list is endless….Omar al-Bashir, Uhuru Kenyatta, Charles Taylor, Jean-Pierre Bemba, William Ruto, Charles Blé Goudé, Muammar Gaddafi, Saif al-Islam Gaddafi, Laurent Gbagbo, Simone Gbagbo, Joseph Kony, Dominic Ongwen,…

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Proverb of the week: That which eats at you is within you
August 25, 2019
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| Business, East Africa, Economy, Illustrations, News, Politics, Proverbs, The Torch, World

Proverb: That which eats at you is within you. Swahili: Kikulacho Ki Nguoni Mwako Meaning: Often, our actions are borne out of our mistakes and flaws in our characters. Therefore, we should not always point an accusing finger at others. We should take the blame for the results of the actions we have taken. Take a look at the mess Africa is in. Start with South Sudan. Go to the Central African Republic. Follow me to the Democratic Republic of…

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Children, women’s safety in jeopardy over rife human trafficking in Namibia
August 10, 2019
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| Economy, News, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, World

Human trafficking is not a thing of the past as many think; it still exists in the 21st century. There are no significant changes in the modern era, despite the industrial revolution and technological development, as millions of people worldwide are still going through slavery. Unlike in the ancient times when victims of human trafficking, especially from Africa were transported oversees, nowadays the act occurs within the villages, towns or neighbouring countries. In fact, transporting the victims does not…

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Africa: When a dog is about to die, it no longer perceives the smell of poop.
August 4, 2019
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| East Africa, Featured, Illustrations, News, North Africa, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, West Africa, World

There is an adage amongst the Igbo ethnic group of the South East of Nigeria, which says:  Onwu na egbu nwa nkita anaghi ekwe ya nuu isi nsi. Translated: When a dog is about to die, it no longer perceives the smell of shit. Explained further literally, often when caution is disregarded, one is exposed to irrational actions, unguarded statements which could lead to untold danger, destruction or ultimate end. This proverb throws light on one of the causes of human miseries…

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Child Marriage: culture, morality and future of society
June 16, 2019
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| Culture, East Africa, Health, Illustrations, News, North Africa, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, West Africa, World

When a nation turns a child into a bride, it turns its future into a hell. Irrespective of the differences in culture, language, ethnicity, religion and geographical position, child marriage has become a global problem, which is practised in different parts of the world. From Niger, Bangladesh to Iraq, child marriage is a common practice in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and even in Europe. While some might argue that child marriage is an integral part of…

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Child Marriage: Urgent need to act decisively
May 22, 2019
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| East Africa, Featured, Illustrations, News, North Africa, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, West Africa, World

Just imagine a bit your childhood years. Do you remember those your childhood dreams, hopes, and aspirations? As a young innocent girl, you had the dreams of having a fulfilled life. You aspired to go to school, become well educated, have a wonderful profession; a rewarding job. You strived to build a beautiful, healthy family with someone you loved….. Suddenly – just unceremoniously – your dream is shattered. Your life aspirations are completely disoriented and forcefully altered in an…

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South Africa: Washing the Corruption-soaked clothes with Omo Detergent
May 17, 2019
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| Illustrations, News, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, World

That the South African ruling party, the African National Congress (ANC) won the recently concluded national elections in South Africa is not news. Rather, it is the fact that the party’s victory margin has never been so abominably low. It is a historic loss. The meagre performance in the poll can be attributed to three major reasons: chronic corruption within the ANC ruling cadre, skyrocketed unemployment, unabridged inequality. Sadly, these social problems have given birth to other dangerous and…

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Proverb of the week: The word of a friend makes you cry; the word of an enemy makes you laugh
April 10, 2019
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| Culture, East Africa, Illustrations, News, North Africa, Politics, Proverbs, South Africa, The Torch, West Africa, World

This proverb, which might sound ironic and contradictory to many, is typical of the Tuaregs, a nomadic tribe predominantly found in the central and western Sahara and along the middle of Niger, stretching from Tombouctou to Nigeria. This tribe is present in Niger, Mali, Algeria, Burkina Faso and Mauritania. Amongst the Tuaregs, interpersonal and close relationships are very important, hence the importance of this proverb, which teaches the value of friendship and the need to appreciate the advice from…

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Proverb of the week: A funeral offers the opportunity for reconciliation.
March 31, 2019
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| Culture, East Africa, Featured, Illustrations, News, Proverbs, The Torch, World

Akavia kakhuanyisivyanga mumasika. (Nyala, Kenya) Mazishi hutoa nafasi ya Upatanisho. (Kiswahili) Le deuil est une occasion de réconciliation. (French) A funeral offers the opportunity for reconciliation. (English) The proverb, which is used amongst the Abanyala group in Kenya, teaches the importance of peace and reconciliation amongst people, which leads to social progress.  Abanyala is one of the dialects of the Luhya (also called Luyia or Abaluyia) ethnic group, which made up about 16% of Kenya’s total population of 38.5…

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Unintended pregnancy in Africa
February 26, 2019
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| East Africa, Economy, Health, Illustrations, News, North Africa, Politics, South Africa, The Torch, West Africa, World

Unintended pregnancy has become a very serious world problem, which, if not paid any attention to, could turn into a menacing threat to the world population as well as the health of mothers and children. Globally, more than 214 million women who do not want to get pregnant do not use any form of contraceptives such as pills, implants, and condoms, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) recent statistics. Furthermore, more than 21.6 million women have unsafe abortions…

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