African culture news summarised in English: music, film, literature, heritage, religion and society, from the local press of 54 countries. 302 articles published.
Updated around the clock from 400+ African and international news outlets in 54 countries. Every article names its source. Our method
Madagascan singer Samuella will take part in the “Knockouts” stage of The Voice of Europe, which begins on 19 October. Twenty candidates will be decided between equally by the public and jury, while Samuella is aiming to finish among the top two in her group, reports Newsmada.
Source: Newsmada
Two student associations at Madagascar’s University of Antsiranana are calling for university accommodation to be allocated fairly. They threaten to challenge access to the residences until the reported inequalities are resolved and are calling on the ministry and university management to intervene, reports Newsmada.
Source: Newsmada
Rwandan singer Suzanne Nyiranyamibwa, known for her songs linked to liberation and commemorating the genocide, died on 16 October at the age of 83. She succumbed to an illness, according to the Rwandan daily New Times.
Source: Newtimes
The Pélagie Muhigirwa Foundation, led by lawyer Caddy Adzuba, highlights the daily difficulties faced by rural women in South Kivu and their contribution to food security. This focus comes on the occasion of International Rural Women's Day, celebrated every 15 October, reports Lecourrierdebukavu.
Source: Lecourrierdebukavu
South African writer Ashraf Kagee presents his new novel, about two enslaved people separated by their circumstances and inspired by the Arabic poem “Layla and Majnun”. The author also seeks to explore the violence of slavery, madness and the capacity to love under oppression, according to TimesLIVE.
Source: TimesLIVE
Students at the University of Nairobi have given the Kenyan government 72 hours to resolve the lecturers’ strike, which is disrupting classes at public universities. Their association is threatening protests if the strike does not end by Wednesday, while some students, including pharmacy students, cannot sit their exams, Citizen reports.
Source: Citizen
The Central African Republic’s Francophone Journalists’ Network brought 20 people together in Bangui for a workshop on an association’s role and functioning. The session was held on 15 October for network members, reports Oubangui Médias.
Source: Oubangui Médias
Tunisian director Aziz Shennawy’s first feature film, “To the Sun and Beyond”, has been selected as one of seven films in the “Arab Cinema Horizons” section of the Cairo International Film Festival. The festival’s 47th edition will take place from 11 to 20 November in Egypt, according to La Presse, which notes that the film is produced by Genuine For Films and Entertainment.
Source: Lapresse
Former Sale Sharks second-row player Hyron Andrews died at 31 after falling at the Lions’ hotel in Johannesburg. The South African Rugby Union described the death as an accident, while the club is due to pay tribute to the player during its match against La Rochelle, according to Punch.
Source: Punch
While on a work trip to Egypt, Chérif Mohamed Abdallah Haïdara, president of the Organised Group of Businessmen (GOHA International), prayed for peace and unity in Guinea at the Al-Azhar Mosque. GOHA’s communications unit said he also expressed wishes for the country’s development and fraternity among peoples.
Source: Mosaiqueguinee
The Endeavour Foundation is supporting 504 Burkinabè pupils and students in 2026 through scholarships, school supplies and professional internships. Its Jeune en scolarité programme has notably helped 154 secondary-school pupils for four years, while Pépite d’or has rewarded 339 children, according to Lefaso.
Source: Lefaso
Jeannot Kassa Mouélé, president of the Dola departmental council, died on 12 October 2026 at Bongolo Hospital in Lébamba, Gabon. A former soldier and civic organisation leader, he had been elected under the banner of the Democratic Union of Builders, L’Union reports.
Source: L’Union
Chad’s Education Minister, Mahamat-Ahmad Alhabo, has prohibited public schools from excluding pupils from lessons for failure to pay parental contributions or for lacking a uniform. The circular aims to ensure the 2026-2027 school year starts and teaching continues, Tchadinfos reports.
Source: Tchadinfos
Spanish international handball player Kaba Gassama is inviting visitors to discover Senegal during the Youth Olympic Games, scheduled for 31 October to 13 November 2026. Dakar, Diamniadio and Saly are expected to host around 2,700 athletes aged 14 to 18 in 25 sports, according to APS, which reports on an interview published by the International Olympic Committee.
Source: Senego
Six Beninese musicians from the Gangbé Brass Band have been subject to orders to leave French territory since July, and a petition launched on 24 September is calling for the measures to be revoked. On 28 August, the Rennes administrative court refused to suspend the rejection of one member’s residence permit renewal, Beninwebtv reports, citing information from Libération.
Source: Beninwebtv
Nigerian rapper Blaqbonez has released his fifth studio album, “NOMADINHO: 4TH PRIME”, featuring 15 tracks blending rap and afrobeats. Distributed by Chocolate City Music, the 38-minute project includes Asake and Ruger, according to Beninwebtv.
Source: Beninwebtv
Senegalese MP Guy Marius Sagna called on 11 September for the return of human remains collected during French colonisation, including the skulls of six members of Ahmadou Tall’s army. A French law in force since 2023 governs such returns and sets conditions for making requests, according to Kassataya, which reprises a video on the subject.
Source: Kassataya
Rabat’s National Zoological Garden has welcomed 72 specimens belonging to 21 African species of reptiles and amphibians in its Vivarium. The 1,700-square-metre space aims to raise public awareness of animal diversity and ecosystems, according to Infomediaire.
Source: Infomediaire
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