Ofeibea Quist-Arcton

Media Focus On Ailing Mandela Is Not 'The African Way'

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 11 May 2013 09:30:00 +0000

It's almost impossible these days to switch on South African radio or television, or read a local newspaper, website or tweet, and not hear Nelson Mandela's name mentioned.

Friday marked the 19th anniversary of Mandela's inauguration as South Africa's first democratically elected — and first black — president, four years after he was released from prison.

For many South Africans, the coverage of his recent hospitalization and poor health seems like media overkill. Older South Africans stress that the African way of coping with the twilight years is culturally nuanced.

Lady Mechanic Initiative Trains Women For 'The Best Job'

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Thu, 02 May 2013 07:00:00 +0000

The young women training to be mechanics at Nigeria's Lady Mechanic Initiative wear navy overalls and work boots and their hair is tucked under customized red caps as they repair vehicles in a garage. Customers come and go, dropping off and collecting their cars. Trainee Enogie Osagie says she faced great resistance at home when she started.

"At first, they were really angry. They didn't want me to go for it," says Osagie. "My mum wasn't happy with it. She just went on crying, 'Why do you want to be a mechanic? The risk is too much.' I was like, 'Don't worry, this is what I want.

S. African Leader Under Fire After Awkward Visit With Mandela

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Wed, 01 May 2013 21:15:00 +0000

In South Africa, controversial images of a frail and ashen Nelson Mandela being visited by South Africa's current president aired on national television this week.

A Minnesotan In Mali, Teaching The Country's Sounds

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Sat, 20 Apr 2013 13:51:00 +0000

Numbers are down at the American International School in Bamako, the capital of Mali.

In just over a year, the country has witnessed a rebellion, a military coup and the occupation by Islamist fighters of the desert northern region, recently largely liberated in a counteroffensive by French-led forces.

Nelson Mandel's Condition Seems To Be Improving

Ofeibea Quist-Arcton — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 08:42:00 +0000

Public expressions of concern are on full display as South Africans monitor the hospitalization of anti-apartheid hero and former president Nelson Mandela. The 94 year old is being treated for pneumonia.