Letters of recommendation
On the South African-born anthropologist John Comaroff and the political economy of silence in academia.
508 Articles by:
Sean Jacobs
Sean Jacobs, publisher of Africa is a Country, is on the faculty of The New School. He edits the substack, Eleven Named People.
There’s a metaphor in there somewhere
Thoughts on the conclusion of the 2021 African Cup of Nations.
Are strongmen or liberal democracy our only choices?
With the recent series of military coups, especially in West Africa, what is left for the future of politics on the African continent?
Back from Safari
If you hadn’t noticed, we were on our annual break from just before Christmas 2021 until now. We are back, including with some inspiration.
Growing pains
For all the grief Afropunk gets, including its commercialization and appetite for expansion, it still manages to bring people, mostly black, together over two days for a pretty great party.
Bono’s vanity
This #ThrowbackThursday piece from 2007 on Vanity Fair’s famous “Africa” issue, makes for fun, at times depressing, reading of the debates we hopefully left behind.
On Safari
Every year, around this time, we take a month long break from publishing. We need it.
When the war is over
In his new book, the Ugandan academic Mahmood Mamdani argues that breaking cycles of violence requires collective action. He finds hope in the unfinished project of South Africa’s anti-apartheid struggle.
The politics of vaccines
On the latest episode of AIAC TV, we discuss the COVID 19 vaccine with Achal Prabhala and Indira Govender. Watch now on Youtube, Facebook and Twitter.
On Safari
What a year. Stay safe, wear a mask, social distance and when the vaccine becomes available where you are, get vaccinated.
The problem with generalizations
Despite the media’s wish for a neat story, the African continent’s response to COVID-19 is all over the map.
The Ethiopian model
This week on AIAC Talk: How Ethiopia helps us make sense of the nature of the African state. Tune in Tuesday at 19:00 SAST, 17:00 GMT, and 12:00 EST on Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter.
The Greatest Of All Time
We discuss the legacy of Diego Maradona on this week’s AIAC Talk. Tune in today at 19:00 SAST, 17:00 GMT, and 12:00 EST on Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter.
Bling politricks
On AIAC Talk: Hip hop’s political legacies. Live on Youtube, Facebook, or Twitter. Subscribe to our Patreon for the archive.
Decolonizing African literature
How do we decolonize African literature? AIAC talks about it with Bhakti Shringarpure and Lily Saint. Stream it live Tuesdays on Youtube, Facebook, Twitter. Subscribe to our Patreon for the podcast archive.