You are watching Africa 54, your daily news and feature magazine-style program, from the Voice of America. Host Esther Githui-Ewart and a team of correspondents zero in on the big stories making news on the continent and around the world with context and analysis.
Top Stories:
South Africa’s leaders are struggling to contain the coronavirus, which has infected more than 25,000 people with at least 550 deaths. Now, there are growing concerns among some parents over the thoroughness of sanitizing in the schools that are set to reopen on Monday. South Africa is also allowing is economy to reopen on June 1st under eased COVID-19 restrictions. This includes mining and manufacturing – but some businesses that are considered high-risk, such as hotels, hair salons and sit-down restaurants are to remain closed, according to Reuters.
ln southern Africa, Namibia, which has not reported any coronavirus deaths, says it will ease some of its virus restrictions on Tuesday. Schools and restaurants will reopen – but non-contact sports and gatherings up to 50 people at weddings, funerals and other events is forbidden. Clubs, casinos and gambling houses will also remain shuttered, according to Reuters.
In the Democratic Republic of Congo, one young woman is helping women and orphans protect themselves from the coronavirus. VOA’s Anasthasie Tudieshe has our story.
Lacking funds for a proper call center or refuge, Marie Lukasa and a small group of volunteers use their own mobile phones as informal hotlines in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo to help families reach medical, legal or psychological care.
In the rural Zimbabwe district of Wedza, a new electric-powered motorcycle is helping bring income to poor women during the COVID-19 lockdown. It's also easing the burden of looking after families. Francis Maguire reports.
Some Nigerian tailors and designers are being creative with their fashionable face masks by adding glamour and style to health and safety. When authorities eased lockdowns earlier this month, it made the use of facemasks in public places mandatory. VOA’s Timothy Obiezu examines how some Nigerians are choosing to wear face coverings with flair.
Like many expectant mothers, makeup artist Merry Mwihava was delighted to learn that she would be welcoming a new child into the world. But when merry lost her job during the pandemic, she was forced to tap into her creative talents to find inventive ways to feed her family. A Coming Joy Wrapped in Fears shows us Merry and her family’s journey to discover new rituals and unanticipated ways to survive in a changing world. Barbara Santos produced this story.
A54 Entertainment: The Ndlovu Youth Choir was one of dozens of top musical acts from Africa to perform for the "Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home” hosted by Idris Alba on May 25th. The choir's latest release puts a special South African spin on an American country classic! What began as a humble after school music program in Limpopo province, South Africa has now become an international sensation: first, on America’s got talent and most recently, on the "Africa Day Benefit Concert at Home” for COVID-19 families and children. Music Time in Africa host, Heather Maxwell along with Kwame Ofori have the story with their song of the week “Jolene.”
#Coroanvirus #SouthAfrica #Namibia #DemocraticRepublicofCongo #Zimbabwe #Tanzania #NdlovuYouthChoir
