Latest Stories from Derrick
Electric motorcycles gain traction in Benin
In Benin’s capital city, Cotonou, motorcycle taxi drivers are switching to electric vehicles to reduce air pollution and promote sustainable green urban transport. In Africa, motorcycles are largely the vehicle of choice as they’re quick, convenient, and cheap. More than 250,000 motorcycle taxi drivers reside in Benin’s capital city of Cotonou and this number is rising as more young people move in for employment purposes. Due to low employment opportunities, many of...
Zimbabwe resorts to gold coins amid high inflation
In June, Zimbabwe's inflation rate increased to 192%, a 60% increase from May. In a move to curb the crisis, the central bank has launched gold coins. The country is currently experiencing high food prices, increased unemployment and an abandoning of the country’s dollar in favor of USD. Covid-19 – as well know - led to lockdowns and social distancing, negatively affecting Zimbabwe’s already struggling economy. Even now, food...
Gen Z stage peace walk ahead of Kenyan elections
In celebration of World Day for International Justice, young people from Nairobi held a peace walk campaign to stress the importance of non-violence ahead of Kenya’s general elections in August. On Sunday,17th July, youths from Nairobi’s Dandora slums took part in celebrating the World Day for International Justice through a peace walk campaign. It was planned by Dandora Seed Foundation, a community-based organization whose objective is to provide children with...
Sexual Health and Rights conference takes place in Sierra Leone
Early last week, Sierra Leone hosted Africa’s biggest three day conference on sexual health and rights, featuring over 900 delegates from more than 40 countries. The tenth Sexual Health and Rights conference took place last week in Sierra Lone, hosted by Purposeful, a girls’ activism hub in Africa. It collaborated with various stakeholders including UN agencies, African governments, feminist activists, and development partners, among others. This year’s theme, ‘Accelerating the Elimination...
African climate youth activists gather ahead of COP27
Kenya hosts hundreds of youth climate activists from Africa for the second edition of Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice, a platform headed by the Pan African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA). Young African climate change activists have been given an opportunity to voice their concerns ahead of Egypt’s COP27 in November. Hundreds are currently gathering at Nairobi’s Kenyatta University for two weeks to voice their concerns. The Nairobi Summer School on Climate...
Filmmaker Lu Ke arrested for exploiting Malawian children
A Chinese national filmmaker, Lu Ke, has been accused of manipulating Malawian village children into saying racist phrases as personalised greeting videos and selling footage on Chinese sites. Last week, Zambian authorities arrested Chinese national Mr. Lu Ke, who fled Malawi after viral videos of children saying racist phrases emerged on Chinese social media sites. Lu Ke was arrested in the eastern Chipata district of Zambia and later returned to Malawi. The...
Understanding the violent attacks in Central Mali
Over 130 civilians have been killed in the recent massacre in Central Mali, leaving thousands devastated. Mali has witnessed a number of attacks since the beginning of this year. According to the United Nations, the country’s security is worsening, human rights are being violated, and humanitarian aid is needed in most parts of the country. A number of civilians have been killed over the past month and last weekend’s massacre...
The UN World Food Programme suspends aid to South Sudan
Approximately 1.7 million people in South Sudan face severe starvation after the UN’s World Food Programme suspends its food aid in some parts of the country. On Tuesday, the UN agency World Food Programme (WFP) announced that 1.7 million people in South Sudan are at risk of food shortage due to insufficient funds alongside an increase in humanitarian needs. The agency planned to provide food provisions to 6.2 million people...
Is Africa’s LGBTQ+ community truly safe in 2022?
Let’s face it, the African continent is still not a safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community. In almost every African country, homosexuality is considered a taboo. Africa identifies itself with traditional customs and beliefs that date centuries back. According to the Human Rights Watch, most African nations are still traditionalist and consider the LGBTQ+ community a taboo or ‘curse’. This has led most to shun away from protecting the rights...
Twelve DRC students build ‘Mad Max’ car using waste materials
A group of sixth year mechanic studies students in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo have defied the odds and built a car dubbed ‘Mad Max’ using only waste and scrap materials. Anyone remember the classic television show Robot Wars? Twelve students from the Goma Institute of Technology and Industry, aged 15 to 20 years, have spent two years building a car solely from scrapped waste metal. The students - together...
