Africa Is a Country

Pitch Perfect Friday

Pitch Perfect Friday

By
Sonja Sugira

Obviously, we here at Africa is a Country are fully behind Bafana Bafana, and the rest of the teams representing Africa at the 2010 World Cup. And, yes, unlike Chimamanda Adichie, that also includes Algeria. As this is the second World Cup I am watching as an American citizen, though, I am also supporting the U.S. national team.

They’re a young team, and a good one. OK, maybe that’s a bit of wishful thinking. But they’re also the most diverse team the U.S. has ever fielded at the World Cup, made up of a considerable number of players who are first generation Americans, representing the America that I know. While they’re not exactly the “seventh African team,” they come close 😉

So today’s 2010 World Cup music moment, just in time for the team’s kickoff against Slovenia, comes courtesy of The Fader’s Pitch Perfect project, which Sean wrote about yesterday. This North America mix, one of the six they commissioned for each continent (save Antarctica), was put together by our friend Chief Boima. Like many of us, he’s got roots in multiple places—something that is always reflected in his music, which by the way is always excellent. Enjoy.

Further Reading

No one should be surprised we exist

The documentary film, ‘Rolé—Histórias dos Rolezinhos’ by Afro-Brazilian filmmaker Vladimir Seixas uses sharp commentary to expose social, political, and cultural inequalities within Brazilian society.

Reading List: Barbara Boswell

While editing a collection of the writings of South African feminist Lauretta Ngcobo, Barbara Boswell found inspiration in texts that reflected Ngcobo’s sense that writing is an exercise of freedom.

Kenya’s stalemate

A fundamental contest between two orders is taking place in Kenya. Will its progressives seize the moment to catalyze a vision for social, economic, and political change?

More than a building

The film ‘No Place But Here’ uses VR or 360 media to immerse a viewer inside a housing occupation in Cape Town. In the process, it wants to challenge gentrification and the capitalist logic of home ownership.