by Mia Arderne On Shackville and Rhodes Must Fall Rhodes Must Fall is a student and worker led movement protesting for the decolonization of the University of Cape Town. The movement achieved the removal a prominent statue of imperialist…
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Balafon
Dzekashu MacViban Hardly do debut singles posses the ambition that “Balafon” has. Indeed, from its catchy chorus and afropolitan theme, D.A. Sets the tone for what to expect. Nevertheless, D.A. isn’t the only one who is ambitious in the…
December Rain by Elsa M’bala
“December Rain” highlights familiar, yet very important issues: displacement and homecoming. With an eye for detail and a keen sense of belonging (the kind of belonging that many citizens of the world have in common), Elsa’s story takes us from…
"Poem X" by Stanley Princewill McDaniels
i feel like an empty baseball field- serene, empty & free like space each time the gates of your memory shot itself in my head, each time i do not think of you; my heart becomes a ship without an…
Unapologetic Voices of Women in 'Hear Word'
Ayodeji Rotinwa As one writes this, it seems likely that in a few weeks, the most powerful person in the world and the President of the United States of America may be a woman. Months ago, a brave young girl…
The Ten Most-Read Pieces of 2015
Illustration Credit: Dante Besong 2015 has been a busy and experimental year for us at Bakwa and we’re very thankful to the interns, editors and contributors who’ve worked very hard to make sure we produce the kind of quality articles…
#Phola; Curated by Sihle Ntuli
In the second project for our special End of Year music feature(s), Sihle Ntuli curates a playlist which is the product of a collaboration between Bakwa and Ja magazine. The playlist explores the African youth in the global context as…
Encounters; Jonah Sithole and the Chimurenga Sound
Percy Zvomuya Originally published on NBO. In the first piece for our special End of Year music feature(s), Percy Zvomuya bemoans imaginary as well as real encounters; the latter highlights the meeting between Thomas Mapfumo and Jonah Sithole, and how…
Wall Street Journal Unveils the Face Behind Africa’s Most Anticipated Novel
Imbolo Mbue Photo: Kiriko Sano Originally published on Brittle Paper Imbolo Mbue burst into the limelight late last year after signing a million dollar deal with Random House for her debut manuscript. The novel titled Behold the Dreamers follows…
Two Poems by Carmel Rawhani
Nostalgia It is said that love is a cunning temptress. But what of nostalgia? Is she not a cruel mistress? A silent thief of the present? Of hope and contentment? Replacing them with agonizing pensive reflection and recollection through…
