Focus on Africa - Nick Ericsson

History . . .

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:17:21 +0000

I love Twitter. I know, it's an occupational requirement - but I really do. The more so last night when I heard the French election results from Twitter's little bird. The online conversation carried on for quite a while. Eventually, perhaps inevitably, it wandered into a discussion about what President Hollande will mean for Africa. Will his take on 'Francafrique' be an improvement on his predecessor's attitude to the continent? This opened a few old wounds. Remember, remember - warned a few tweeters - Sarkozy's words in Dakar in 2007. It could well be the case that anything's an improvement on that.

Jaded aid

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:04:43 +0000

We're now sitting at our great (metaphorical) drawing board, scratching our heads about the next issue of the magazine. We go to press in six weeks, and yours truly wants to do something on 'The Great Aid Debate' in Africa. Do hand-outs do any good at all - particularly since, as we covered quite a bit in previous issues, the continent's economy is growing? Who does aid really benefit? These are well-worn questions.
So searching for a fresh angle, I came across this article. Have a read. Then let me know you thoughts. I'll be at the drawing board if you need me.

Madness

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 13:45:55 +0000

Do you think the coup plotters in Mali now regret what they did? I ask this question in all seriousness because of how quickly events there seem to be spiralling out of their control. Being a military 'government' - organised enough to eject the president from office - would suggest that Captain Amadou Sanogo and his band of men would be in charge for longer than one day. But they seem powerless after triggering something which is rapidly taking on regional - and even international - dimensions.
On the weekend, the former editor of the West Africa magazine Kaye Whiteman told us that Mali was the biggest challenge facing the regional group Ecowas since the 1990s. Since then, unconvinced by the true democratic credentials of the good captain, Ecowas has followed through on its threat of an economic blockade of the country (half of which has swiftly fallen into the hands of Tuareg rebels).
We carry an article on Mali in the latest issue of our magazine. It was written before these extraordinary events. But, you never know, Captain Sanogo could do well to get himself a copy. In it the Malian analyst Andy Morgan writes of the (previous) government's tactics in confronting the northern Tuareg rebellion. Essentially it involved playing up and boosting the rebels' links with al-Qaeda in the Maghreb - even if this stretched what was credible. This guaranteed America's interest - and cash. Today there have been some murmurings of an Islamist element to the recent Tuareg advance. As regional sanctions begin to bite and popular opinion turns against the junta, could Captain Sanogo be reaching for his loud-hailer?

Star turn

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 17:27:00 +0000

Apologies in advance. This is going to be a long one. Hopefully you won't notice.
Sometimes it's hard to see beyond the maelstrom of getting a magazine out on time and in good shape. For our quarterly two-week production period, our collective heads are down just to get the thing out on time. That's particularly the case since BBC Focus on Africa magazine is produced with such a small staff.
But we have to know if we are hitting the mark with our readers, otherwise what's the point? There is one way of doing this, which I'll admit isn't scientific. We keep an eye on how much of our content generates discussion and highlights fresh perspectives on certain issues. Some subjects are bound to get a reaction. But that alone is hardly a reason for covering them.
In the October to December issue, for instance, we anticipated that an article by Frederica Boswell on the popularity of a Ghanaian blog - Adventures from the bedrooms of African Women - would get the letter-writers and tweeters going. But it also had something worthwhile to say about tackling what seems to be a continent-wide taboo. It concerned the work of two extraordinary women, Nana Darkoa and Abena Gyekye, who have chosen to use words to fight prejudice in the bedroom. Their blog, you see, unashamedly talks about sex.
The magazine came out and, sure enough, a response landed in our in-box. Was the letter a fresh perspective on the original article? In stating that African women already do talk about sex, we believe it was. Will the reader response generate even more discussion? Highly likely. Because of that we decided to label it the 'Star view'. Cue Nana Darkoa's response on her blog (an edited version is quoted below):
On Sunday, I saw that the latest edition of BBC Focus on Africa magazine was out. I had been recently featured in the October edition of the magazine so felt inclined to browse through the magazine.
I stopped short on page 54, the 'Inbox' section of the magazine. There was a screen shot of the page that had featured myself, and my co-blogger Abena Gyekye, with the 'Star view' letter entitled 'Misguided advice'. I read the letter and was instantly enraged, so I bought the magazine and went on a tweeting spree to vent...let me reproduce the letter here so you can judge for yourself.
"Your article on sex blogging in the last issue highlights the fact that it is good for African women to talk openly about sex, and most of all to not see it as taboo. But who says African women have not been talking about sex? What do you think they discuss when they meet up? I think Africa has more problems to tackle than focusing its energy on sexual issues. Your articles should rather focus on helping African women revive the core values of training a child well, according to the moral values of the land. I believe that is one of the pressing needs of African women."
Wow. Where do I even start? The second half of the letter completely incensed me. "Africa has more problems to tackle than focusing its energy on sexual issues." I presume some of the issues that are of concern to Africa include issues of health, maternal mortality, HIV/Aids, and education. Can he ( 'cos I seriously doubt that Ugochukwu is a woman but who knows) not see how all these issues are linked to sex? How about the politics of sex? If Africa has more important problems to tackle then why are our African governments trying to legislate what goes on in the bedrooms of consensual adults, and why are African social justice activists fighting the unholy alliances between fundamentalist religions and conservative (often corrupt) leaders who stoke the flames of homophobia.
"Your articles should rather focus on helping African women revive the core values of training a child well, according to the moral values of the land". Really? Now you want the BBC to tell us African women how to raise our children well? And this must be done "according to the moral values of the land"? Hmmm. Let me not even try to imagine what moral values you are referring to here.
Part of what sticks in my gall the most is that this letter was judged the 'Star view'. By my reading that implies the letter is great, worthy of being focused on, and gives me the impression that the editor/editorial team agreed with the letter. But surely I must be wrong? Oh and did I add that the 'Star view' gets a 'small prize'? Argh, that really sticks in my throat.
Nana goes on to include the draft of a response letter of her own for inclusion in the magazine. That you can read when the next issue comes out in early March. But I'll leave the rest to you. Any comments? Did we get it seriously wrong or not? And, if so, is the time for 'Star views' rapidly fading?

Curve ball

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 15:04:36 +0000

I, at least, didn't see this coming. The ANC in South Africa turns 100 this weekend. And to start festivities, the great and the good of the party headed to the golf course. Yes, a couple of men would be chasing a little ball around acres of manicured lawns.
Was there any better way of celebrating a significant milestone in South Africa - and, in fact, the continent? This, afterall, is Africa's oldest liberation party.
It is also the incubator of two Nobel Peace Prize winners. So, a church service perhaps - or what about a mass rally? No, that would all come. Let's settle for an early morning tee-off time at a Bloemfontein club.
The question is whether or not the ruling party's image makers stopped to consider what message this would send - particularly to the many weighed down by the frustration of not finding a job in South Africa.
Interestingly some of my colleagues don't see what the fuss is about. It's a symbol of the aspirational drive of ruling party big-wigs, they say. And to challenge the ANC on it would be 'nit-picking'.
Perhaps they have a point. Or perhaps it's a sign of a party which many say has veered dangerously off course from its days fighting injustice and exclusion.

Breaking through the silence

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:02:01 +0000

Journalism should be about breaking taboos, plain and simple. The latest issue does just that. A few years back we decided to introduce a regular health section. That's where you'll find this gem. Discuss

Beneath the surface

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 02:43:19 +0000

You may have noticed a new editon of Focus on Africa magazine on the shelves. We love the cover by the way - hope you do too. In fact, the story that goes with it also had us intrigued. We look at how secretive lobbying in Washington and London by so-called 'reputation management' companies on behalf of African governments seems to be replacing the old ways of doing diplomacy. And a recent article in the British press also examines what it calls 'influence peddling' - in this instance in the work of certain think tanks trying to have a say in public policy. Well, they do say that everything has a price.

Get real

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Thu, 11 Aug 2011 10:21:26 +0000

As is so often the case, social media has had a lot to say about the news. And not many stories this week have been bigger than the protests here in the UK. A tweet has been doing the rounds which confronts anyone who would compare Trafalgar square to Tahrir square. Lulu Rose I'm talking about you. "The youth of the Middle East rise up for basic freedoms. The youth of London rise up for a HD ready 42" plasma TV," she writes.
Now you'll know the latest Focus on Africa magazine has a discussion on the pro-democracy protests on the continent. An academic, journalist and blogger debate whether or not any reforms seen in North Africa could spread further south - and how deep rooted they would be. So I thought it would be interesting to send this tweet to them.
The reactions are worth blogging about. One participant, the Moroccan blogger 'Houdac', admits she doesn't really know what to respond to the English riots. "Basically I think the poor (in the Middle East) protested for basic needs while in London the 'less rich' are protesting to be as high consumers as the richest," she replies.
But the Ugandan newspaper editor and media advisor to the ruling party, Robert Kabushenga, is having none of it. He calls this view "out of touch with the desperation of the British underclass", who - he says - need jobs. "I think I know why they are in the streets and burning them. No difference with Tahrir square," he thunders. Do you agree? And what exactly is the distance between Cairo and Croydon?

Near miss?

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 02:43:46 +0000

With pro-democracy protests spreading south to places like Malawi and Senegal, can some leaders in North Africa start to drop their guard a bit? In other words, has the wave begun to move on? Recent events in Egypt have shown this is unlikely, but It's probably a safe bet that the Algerian authorities are hoping so.

Reality check

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 17:35:27 +0000

This has just appeared online. It's from the latest BBC Focus on Africa magazine. A good news story - as requested by a number of our readers. Or is it?
For Kigali's many supporters in London and Washington, this speaks to Rwanda's continuing success as a nation. In fact, the government is pushing for not only wider access to healthcare, but also wants the population to be more tech savvy. Actually, the president seems to be leading the way. He's got a twitter account. Not only that but he seems to use it daily - unlike other presidents who are online but release a ceremonial tweet once a month about some bland government initiative.
But Rwanda has serious problems too. Human rights groups are persistent in their accusations that political dissent is not tolerated at all - and that the government even goes after its critics abroad. I remember speaking to someone a few years back who had visited the country and said he couldn't wait to leave because of the feeling of unease there.
So that's the dilemma, 17 years after the genocide. Yes healthcare initiatives are showing results. Yes, Kigali is said to be clean and relatively safe from crime. And yes, the country is plugged in and online. All extraordinary achievements considering where Rwanda was in 1994.
But without obvious political freedom, what does this all mean really?

What's in a name?

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Mon, 18 Jul 2011 16:31:37 +0000

We in the media are always on the look-out for a pithy way of capturing a complex issue. Not to explain it away, but rather to help us focus on what's important. Egypt is a case in point. Events there in the past week were referred to in some parts of the BBC as the country's 'unfinished revolution'.
Now - was it a revolution at all, even at the start of the year when Hosni Mubarak was forced from power? Protesters who gathered again in Tahrir square over the past few days would probably say no. A true revolution is one where all elements of the old are swept away and replaced by something altogether new.
I'm happy with that defintion until I try and apply it elsehwere. Soon after apartheid fell in South Africa, observers - and even South Africans themselves - were talking of witnessing the most anticipated 'revolution' of the 20th century. But elements of the old remained - in the civil service, in the country's media and in its armed forces. BUt I defy you to look at footage of Nelson Mandela been sworn in as president and not think of South Africa in 1994 as the site of a revolution.
it's a difficult issue - and one we examine in the latest issue of Focus on Africa magazine. Just look on our pages for the striking image of Uganda's security forces spraying protesters with pink dye in Kampala and there you'll find a three-way conversation on how deeply rooted Africa's democratic 'revolution' really is. You may be surprised, and a little bit depressed, by what you read.

Mix it up

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Thu, 30 Jun 2011 14:47:48 +0000

The windows at Bush House have attracted much interest this morning. That's because thousands and thousands of public sector workers have been demonstrating in central London over proposals to slash public sector pensions.
The government says they are unaffordable, the striking workers say the government is targeting the lower earners unnecessarily to bring the deficit down. That's the main battle line anyway.
But the strike action has sparked off ideological debates - the most interesting of which is the issue of the public verses private sector. Obviously the public sector is, by definition, there to serve the public.But can the private sector dip its toe in the public sector's domain too? Does being driven by profits necessarily have to preclude any kind of public service?
Well an article in the latest issue of the magazine looks at how this is being played out in countries like Sierra Leone and Ivory Coast. Specifically, the piece looks at so-called 'export opportunity zones' or 'special economic zones' (SEZ) which are springing up. These are often warehouses where private money comes in from abroad and invests in business - say producing mangoes - in a tax-free environment with a predictable and regular power supply.
Some of these investors also insist on ethical practices, such as child-free labour.
All of this will hopefully promote wider industrialisation and development. Critics say that SEZs in places like Nigeria, Madagascar and Mauritius have not worked worked and have failed to create jobs and find links with local businesses. Others would disagree. But it does all suggest that the two - public and private - don't always have to be mutually exclusive.

To serve and protect

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 15:43:43 +0000

A couple of years back we carried a feature on police forces around the continent. It wasn't a very flattering look, mind you. We were interested in how some law enforcement agencies in Africa act with what seems to be little restraint.
At the time we knew that the feature could hardly be conclusive - police brutality is an issue which doesn't seem to go away. Since then human rights groups have pointed fingers at Nigeria and Kenya as two countries suspected of having heavy handed police forces.
One police force that is thought to have shaken off its poor image is South Africa's. In the years before 1994 - particularly during the turbulent 1980s - the country's cops were a derided symbol of violence. But that was supposed to have changed.
Not according to this piece - and certainly not according to a column by Antony Altbeker carried in the latest issue of the magazine. Using this shocking incident as a starting point, Altbeker says that police brutality points to other things, most importantly how difficult it is to build a stable, democratic state. So who are the forces actually protecting - the rulers or the ruled?
It seems the thin blue line is very thin indeed.

cover up

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:54:14 +0000

Are we in the business of building up the continent or breaking it down? That's a question I was asked by a businessman in Harare a few years back. I was a bit taken back - to say the least. I had been told he was no fan of Robert Mugabe, and so I assumed he would want the media to put more pressure on the Zimbabwean government to reform. In fact, he thought the media in general - and the BBC in particular - was focused on undermining Zimbabwe, and offering nothing constructive to the country.
His words keep coming back to me. What are our responsibilities as journalists? It's not enough just to say we should tell the truth - whose truth? Perhaps it's that we should be as objective as possible.
The debate lives on in our magazine covers. Recently Alison Kingsley-Hall - our managing editor - returned from a business trip to Ghana. There she was told over and over again that our recent cover on Nigeria cast the country in a negative light.

That wasn't our view here. It's fair to say the cover is the most debated, chewed over and thrown about part of the magazine. Our decison to go with this image was that it suggested a country that was vibrant, hardened and hopeful - if a bit dented. What do you think? And should rose-tinted glasses always win the day?

Home run

Nick Ericsson Nick Ericsson — Thu, 21 Apr 2011 18:03:55 +0000

United States-based writer Leslie Goffe is what we in the business call a 'sure-thing'. His work is always high quality and inviting - humane but also hard-hitting. Look no further than this - which is in the latest issue of BBC Focus on Africa magazine. Believe it or not, one of our largest readerships is in the United States. I'd like to think that this has to do with more than just the significant size of the African diaspora living there. Africa is increasingly being described as the new frontier. In fact, the great, the good and the prominent insist that the continent will push to the front of the world queue in the near-future. Perhaps that's one of the reasons why so many are returning home from abroad. Do you think there's anything to come home to?