Africa First

'A roadmap that could turn Africa's potential into prosperity.' - President Cyril Ramaphosa What stops Africa, with its abundant natural resources, from capitalising on its boundless potential? Africa analyst Jakkie Cilliers uses 11 scenarios to unpack, in concrete terms, how the continent can ignite a growth revolution that will take millions out of poverty and into employment. Africa urgently needs much more rapid economic growth. Cilliers identifies and models fundamental transitions required in agriculture, education, demographics, manufacturing and governance and shows how these changes can be brought about. The challenges the continent faces - competing in a globalised world, delivering health care and education, feeding growing populations and grappling with climate change - demand far-sighted policies and determined leadership. Cilliers offers achievable solutions based on African realities. Authoritative and engaging, this work offers a roadmap for how Africa can catch up with the rest of the world.

Abdi Ismail Samatar provides a clear and foundational history of Somalia at the dawn of the country’s independence when Africa’s first democrats appeared. While many African countries were dominated by authoritarian rulers when they entered the postcolonial era—and scholars have assumed this as a standard feature of political leadership on the continent—Somalia had an authentic democratic leadership. Samatar’s political biography of Aden A. Osman and Abdirazak H. Hussen breaks the stereotype of brutal African tyranny. Samatar discusses the framing of democracy in Somalia following the years of control by fascist Italy, the formation of democratic organizations during the political struggle, and the establishment of democratic foundations in the new nation. Even though this early state of affairs did not last, these leaders left behind a strong democratic legacy that may provide a model of good governance for the rest of the continent.

A synthesis of the record left by Africa's earliest inhabitants combining archaeology, genetics and palaeo-environmental science.

The Afro-Bets Kids explore the cultural diversity and rich history of Africa.

Without darker skin, humanity would have died out already 2.1 million years ago. And who would have guessed that Homo erectus had the ingenious skill to invent language and even the first abstract sign. Skills that reflect his incredible will to survive, which our African ancestresses and ancestors inherited from him. Because when the most devastating natural disaster in history veiled the sky red, they were on the verge of extinction. But instead of giving up, they were the firsts on earth to invent the writing. Aba de Bright, using new archaeological facts, traces the stony path our ancestresses and ancestors had to walk. Catches the unique moment of their greatest invention. People who, despite all adversities, got patriarchs to take over most letters of their alphabet. At last, the role of women in the invention of the writing is also becoming visible. All parts of this non-fiction novel are a passionate call against misogyny, aversion to strangers and racism.

IMAGINE one day men stopped clowning about attending a theoretical men’s conference, and actually organised a real one? Most of us ask ourselves this question each year on Valentine’s Day when the imaginary conference tantrums start, but only one man had all the boredom in the world to think it out loud. And now we’re here. HE BANNA: Inside South Africa’s First Imaginary Men’s Conference is a commissioned report filed by Ace Moloi about the conference’s developments, deliberations and resolutions as he imagined they would be. Headlined by mental health, gender-based violence, rape culture, fatherhood and more, this book aspires to be a journalistic offering that gives a blow-by-blow commentary of what transpired at the conference. Here, shebeen arguments are treated with the same literary respect enjoyed by superior logic. Disclaimer: The book itself is imaginary. So, you might have to verify the contents first before you tap to pay.

Global Africa is a striking, original volume that disrupts the dominant narratives that continue to frame our discussion of Africa, complicating conventional views of the region as a place of violence, despair, and victimhood. The volume documents the significant global connections, circulations, and contributions that African people, ideas, and goods have made throughout the world—from the United States and South Asia to Latin America, Europe, and elsewhere. Through succinct and engaging pieces by scholars, policy makers, activists, and journalists, the volume provides a wholly original view of a continent at the center of global historical processes rather than on the periphery. Global Africa offers fresh, complex, and insightful visions of a continent in flux.