George Ngwane

Gender-based Violence in Africa

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

Introduction
Tomorrow 8th March 2007 marks the 30th anniversary of the international Women’s Day. Established in 1977 by the United Nations, this important day provides an opportunity to celebrate the progress made to advance women’s rights and to assess the challenges that remain. This year’s theme is “Ending Violence against Women: Action for Real Results" with the Cameroonised adaptation being “Violence against women, Break the silence, take action”. The theme reflects the forms of marginalization, discrimination, persecution, victimization and exclusion, women in Africa have experienced since the Beijing Conference of 1995 became a media-hyped benchmark.

Supporting the Culture Triangle in Cameroon

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

Only those nations which are culturally solid ever
indelibly influence the course of history’
Professor Kountchou Kouomegni (former Minister of Information and Culture)

The three main links that constitute the Art/Culture chain are Production, Promotion and Consumption. These links represent the culture triangle needed to energise an industry whose aesthetic nature and artistic values mirror the essence of human civilization. Attempts by both civil society actors and governments have aimed at transforming Africa’s indigenous culture from mere populist folklore to a national character.

Towards an Arts and Culture Market in Africa

By Mwalimu George Ngwane

In memory of Nzante Spee (Cameroonian Artist) and Yvonne Vera (Zimbabwean writer)

Preliminary
The recent South African Arts and Culture exhibition in Cameroon was both a forum for intercultural dialogue and a launching pad for creating an Arts and Culture market at continental level. Drawn from its rich art diversity, the South African exhibition succeeded in showcasing its performing and visual arts as well as its local cuisine. For those who have visited South Africa, the exhibition was a tip of the iceberg. The “land of Madiba” is home to a splendid immovable cultural patrimony (the 220.000year old Tswaing meteorite crater, the Voortrekker monument heritage site, the 11km long Moreleta spruit trail etc).