The search for football talent in Africa
Two of Africa’s standout talents at Russia 2018–Moussa Wague and Francis Uzoho–were shaped by a football academy in Qatar. A new book tells that story.
508 Articles by:
Sean Henry Jacobs
Sean Henry Jacobs is the founder of Africa is a Country and Professor of International Affairs at The New School.
The beautiful month
We are exploring the culture and history of the World Cup for the next month while the tournament goes on.
Mohamed Salah and the Egyptians
Sergio Ramos’ injury to Mohamed Salah in the 2018 UEFA Champion’s League final set him up for a world of insults from Egyptian football fans.
Social media and political violence in Cape Town
Reporting on protests in poor communities where the mainstream media lacks, social media picks up the slack. This isn’t always a good thing.
No more caricatures
Engaging seriously with Winnie Madikizela-Mandela’s life could help us understand how South Africa got where it is and where it’s going.
We have new clothes
For months, we have been threatening to launch a new website. Well, now it’s here!
Drake’s Plan
The plot of Drake’s music video for “God’s Plan” is him giving him out money to the poor. What was he trying to say?
South Africa’s Transition from Zuma to Ramaphosa
Jacob Zuma’s nearly decade long regime competed with Thabo Mbeki as the worst presidency of South Africa’s short post-apartheid order.
How to subvert the Hollywood Western
An interview with the South African director and writer of ‘Five Fingers for Marseilles,’ a Western set in that country, and starring an all black cast.
Future so bright
All things equal, we should have a new website within the next couple of weeks.
Zimbabwe Coup Music Edition
Ten post-independence, pre-coup struggle songs that critiqued ZANU-PF under Mugabe and imagined a leadership change and different political culture.
The Interregnum in Zimbabwe
This is no revolution—just an internal ZANU-PF matter. One-party rule and military control remain intact; the military and party leadership are effectively one and the same.
The South African Youths
An edited version of this post appeared in the South African newspaper, City Press, as part of “Thought We Had Something Going,” an e-anthology exploring post-1994 experiences.
Somalia, People of Football
A film about the separate, and often connected, journeys of two Somali footballers, also refugees, to make it as footballers.
Happy Father’s Day
The Soweto Uprising, Tupac, Walter Rodney, Jeremy Corbyn, Latin American telenovelas, etcetera, all part of this week’s Weekend Special.
Zambians don’t deserve their politicians
Ugandans make for good soldiers-for-hire, Radiohead and aparthied, the state of Left American politics and other Weekend Specials.