Africa: Stories to Be Told
Africa is portrayed in the Western media by its extremes, observes Ugandan journalist Charles Onyango-Obbo, a managing editor with the Nation Media Group in Nairobi, Kenya. Stories about its civil wars, human rights abuses, government corruption, disease and poverty abound, but these have been joined by Western reporting that, in Onyango-Obbo’s opinion, can be too willing to celebrate the promised reforms of emergent leaders for whom greater journalistic scrutiny should be applied. The result: “… the leadership in Africa became not only complacent, but also used the flattering international coverage to muzzle internal critics and vigorous independent reporting ….”
- Lots of cash in hundred dollar bills, plus some fives to cover the small things. There’s no sense carrying twenties. Several thousand dollars in twenties gets bulky.
- A headlamp flashlight for when the power goes out.
- A Leatherman or Swiss Army knife to repair electronic equipment, reattach toilet seats, and slice bread.
- A phone-line splitter and an extra cable to try to connect to the Internet in hotel rooms.
- Biltong, a South African delicacy similar to beef jerky that withstands all temperatures and the absence of refrigeration.
- Malarone, a GlaxoSmithKline prophylaxis against malaria.
- Several packs of Marlboros to soften up twitchy militiamen at checkpoints.
