2010 is a special year for Africa, not only in terms of the Fifa World Cup finals causing all the excitement in South Africa, but because the year also marks two significant events in the annals of the continent: (1) the 125th anniversary of the Berlin Conference that led to the carving up of Africa into 53 countries; and (2) the 50th independence anniversary celebrations of 17 of those countries! Yes, a whopping 17 African countries will celebrate their Golden Jubilee this year! Accordingly, New African has devoted this month’s issue to an in-depth look at the Berlin Conference, whose anniversary falls on 26 February 2010, and its impact on Africa as a continent, and Africans as a people. To start the ball rolling, Osei Boateng reports here on the shape of the Golden Jubilees to come. More...

Since the devastating earthquake hit Haiti on 12 January 2010, the world media have been repeating ad nauseam that the country is “the poorest in the Western hemisphere”. But it was not always like that. The “Sugar Island”, the “Pearl of the Antilles”, was once the richest in the Caribbean region. Clayton Goodwin traces how it became the “poorest in the Western hemisphere”. More...

African culture has no place for homosexuality as a way of life because it does not fit with the view that humans should reproduce in order to be remembered for eternity. It is time African governments told the NGOs and their European and American government sponsors promoting homosexuality in Africa to take a hike; let them stick to their cultural traditions and respect ours! argues Ifa Kamau Cush. More...