Author: Sylvestre Kalema

Libreville gathering highlights continental media excellence A discreet but decisive hum of anticipation pervaded the conference hall of the Mont-Bouët district in Libreville on 13 November, when the Atlantic Federation of African Press Agencies (FAAPA) concluded its tenth executive meeting by revealing the laureates of its annual media awards. The Grand Media Prize, the most coveted distinction within the network of twenty-five national agencies, was unanimously accorded to the Nigerian News Agency (NAN) for a long-form reportage entitled “Open Defecation Remains a Critical Public-Health Challenge”. NAN’s in-depth sanitation feature resonates beyond borders Crafted by a field team dispatched to a…

A riverside tradition reborn with transcontinental nuances The reopening of the African Guinguette on the Mont-Valérien esplanade signals more than the usual Parisian search for leisure under July skies. Modelled on the storied open-air dance halls that once lined both banks of the Congo River, the fourteenth edition in Suresnes situates itself within a lineage of Franco-Congolese sociability that dates back to the inter-war era. Mayor Guillaume Boudy’s inaugural words evoked “a space where the elegance of the Seine converses with the exuberance of the Congo” – a formulation that foregrounds cultural symmetry rather than hierarchy, in keeping with France’s…

The Event and Its Objectives On June 21, a thought-provoking conference titled ‘Congolese Music Amidst International Demands’ took place at the French Institute of Congo in Pointe-Noire. This initiative, led by Prescom Media and its director Gildas Bakala, aimed to arm local artists, managers, and producers with the necessary tools for achieving international acclaim. These yearly gatherings coincide with the celebration of World Music Day, offering valuable insights before the night concludes with a grand concert at Canal Olympia Mpita. Insights from Industry Experts The discussion panel featured renowned figures such as Charlemagne Mayassi, a cultural manager and producer, Jean-Marc…

A Vibrant Celebration of African Creativity The prestigious Sky Awards made their debut from June 19 to June 21, 2025, at the Hilton Hotel in Yaoundé, Cameroon. Spearheaded by the Ministry of Small and Medium Enterprises, Social Economy, and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA), this event celebrated the continent’s finest in interior architecture, art, design, and craftsmanship. The awards aimed to bring African talent to the global fore, and the event did not disappoint, with an illustrious array of artists and designers in attendance. Celebrating Excellence and Visionary Talents The closing ceremony on June 21 was a vibrant affair, attended by professionals and…