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 Rukky Ladoja & Building a Responsible Nigerian Fashion Brand In the eyes of Rukky Ladoja, waste is a terrible thing, and she prides herself on having created a Nigerian fashion brand that keeps it to an absolute minimum. This focus on the practical extends to her designs, and consumers are loving it, having catapulted her company, Dye Lab, to new heights. While Dye Lab has been branded a sustainable brand by many, Ladoja notes she is more comfortable calling herself “socially responsible,” as she didn’t set out to create a sustainable brand; she wanted to create a practical one. A brand that, instead of sourcing materials from international markets or using practices foreign to her environment, adapts local resources, styles, and skills across the entire design process. The result is practical kimono pieces that require little to no adjustment per customer, created in a way that ensures every part of the design process takes advantage of the resources — human and physical — around her with very little to no waste allowed. OKAYAFRICA |
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 How to Write About Africa: Collected Works’ Shows Binyavanga Wainaina’s Legacy An outspoken and prominent figure in the literary landscape, Binyavanga Wainaina, played a pivotal role in redefining the world of African literature. Rising to prominence with his winning of the Caine Prize for African Writing in 2002, he used his prize money to found a new literary journal to promote the work of African writers. His scathing critique, ‘How to Write About Africa,’ published in 2005, shined a light on the inaccuracies and ridiculousness of outsiders’ writings about the continent. African literature would never be the same. Wainaina, who died in 2019 at age 48, became an outsize figure on the literary landscape, his omnivorous brilliance matched by ambition and vision on a continental scale. His body of work was influential but slim, overshadowed perhaps by his role as provocateur: In life, he published only one book, a memoir, “One Day I Will Write About This Place,” which was well received when it came out in 2011. THE NEW YORK TIMES |
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 Amapiano to the World: The Next Cultural Shift in Mainstream Music Amapiano grew out of apartheid-era South Africa, but it’s now experiencing an exciting burst of popularity across the globe. Infused with optimism and a room-quaking baseline beat, the music represents a fusion between deep house, jazz and soul with a percussive beat. The viral rise of Amapiano music thrived during the global COVID-19 pandemic when many were stuck in the house scrolling through apps like TikTok and Instagram. It can now be found playing in clubs and venues across South Africa and culturally-inclined spaces around the world. The future of Amapiano is one full of possibilities as the young artists and creators continue to put their footprints all over the genre and nurture it into something bigger. As mainstays like Drake and Beyoncé continue to fuse diasporic sounds into their music, Amapiano is destined to cross over into the mainstream. VIBE |
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 Feeling at Home at New York’s Contemporary African Art Fair While the art world hasn’t typically been particularly welcoming to, or representative of, the black community, the recent 1-54 Contemporary African Art Fair emitted a decidedly different vibe. From the attendees at the fair to the stories behind the art to the profile of the artists on display, it showcased an embrace of black culture and was a hopeful symbol of a changing art world. Superposition Gallery owner Storm Ascher explained that she had taken a new approach to exhibiting art: Instead of having a single brick-and-mortar space, her gallery is nomadic, so artists can participate in their chosen community. HYPERALLERGIC |
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 Mr. Eazi on African Music’s Role in Developing and Stimulating the Creative Economy Billed as “the flagship startup and tech event of the world’s first digital society,” Latitude59 brought together over 400 investors and 800 startup reps in the Estonian capital of Tallinn, from 24-26 May. As part of the conference’s speakers’ program, Mr Eazi discussed his tech and creative journey — and the prospects of the African orange economy via smart governance — in a roundtable with former Estonian president Toomas Hendrik Ilves. While in Estonia, he also met with industry leaders and tech entrepreneurs, including Ahti Heinla, a founding developer of Skype and the founder and CTO of robotics company Starship Technologies; and Markus Villig, the founder and CEO of mobility company Bolt. BUSINESS INSIDER |
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 8 Lisbon Restaurants for Discovering the City’s African Diaspora In recent years, Lisbon has been a popular travel destination, but many may not be aware that it hosts a sizable African population and some excellent African cuisine. Immigrants from Portugal’s former colonies in Africa established a foothold in the city, and their culinary influence continues to reign strong today. From Cape Verdean cachupa eaten over Creole conversations and blaring morna rhythms, to Mozambican crab curry from an award-winning chef in the Mouraria neighborhood. If your artsy, pan-African grandparents opened up their living room and turned it into a restaurant, it might look something like Casa Mocambo. Bringing a bit of Cameroonian spice into the mix, Mimba’s African Cuisine is a must-visit when you’re in the Moscavide area. Put all your trust in Tambarina to be your introduction to Cape Verdean food—or a guiltless indulgence in a plate full of nostalgia. CN TRAVELER |
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 Silversea Cruises’ Extended Indian Ocean Island and Southern Africa Programme Silver Spirit will make her way from Dubai in a series of voyages including: Dubai to Mahe (18 nights) with calls in the Middle East, India, and around the stunning islands of Seychelles. Mahe to Cape Town (15 nights) an incredible itinerary that includes calls in Zanzibar and Madagascar as well as exploring our incredible wildlife from her call at Richards Bay – but also with plenty of sea days to just relax and breathe in the Indian Ocean enjoying all the luxuries on board. Cruise Vacations said that there is also a series of voyages along South Africa’s coastline and Namibia, either Cape Town round trip (15 nights), or on newly introduced shorter sector voyages between Cape Town and Durban and vice versa in the all-new Silver Spirit. IOL |
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 Events Specifically Dedicated to Celebrating Black Music and Culture in Europe Some of the best Black summer festivals in Europe include Afro Nation Festival in Portugal, Africa Oyé in the UK, and Pal Mundo in the Netherlands. Each festival, in its own unique way, showcases Black culture and music through performances by international artists. Africa Oyé is held annually in Liverpool, UK. Regarded as the largest free African music and culture festival in the country, Africa Oyé has become a highlight of the summer festival season. Paris Jazz Festival is held at the picturesque Parc Floral de Paris in France. This event has garnered a reputation for its celebration of African and Afro-Caribbean jazz musicians. Jazz, a genre deeply intertwined with African roots, finds a perfect platform at this festival. TRAVEL NOIRE |
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 Namibia Offers a Wealth of Experiences for Adventurous TravellersStart your Namibian adventure with a visit to Sossusvlei, a mesmerizing landscape of towering red sand dunes. Marvel at the impressive Fish River Canyon, one of Africa’s most spectacular natural wonders. Hike along the rim, take in the panoramic views, and witness the incredible depth and beauty of this canyon. Head to the coastal town of Swakopmund for a unique blend of German colonial architecture and thrilling adventure activities. Embark on a safari adventure in Etosha National Park, home to a vast array of wildlife, including elephants, lions, giraffes, and rhinos. Visit the ghost town of Kolmanskop, once a thriving diamond mining town and now abandoned. Travel to the northeastern part of Namibia and explore the Caprivi Strip, a narrow corridor bordered by four rivers. Explore Twyfelfontein, a UNESCO World Heritage Site renowned for its ancient rock engravings and geological formations. GETAWAY |
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 Top Destinations to Visit in AfricaGame viewing in Kenya is unparalleled! With year-round dense viewing experiences including, lion, leopard, elephants, buffalo, giraffe, zebra and of course, the Great Migration in the legendary Masai Mara. Take in Amboseli’s remarkable views of Mount Kilimanjaro. Encounter raw cultures in authentic Masai villages and take in the views of the endless savannas of Africa with a hot air balloon safari while the beauty of Africa unfolds below. |