Topic: Understanding the Present from the Past: Historiography of the Mali Empire; and the Plight of Angolan Journalist/Activist Rafael Marques de Morais.  Sunday, May 3 is World Press Freedom Day or World Press Day as declared by the United Nations General Assembly.  To commemorate that occasion we will now focus on the Plight of Angolan Journalist/Activist Rafael Marques de Morais.  For several years Rafael Morais has used his profession as a journalist to expose to the public about corruption and human rights in Angola.  As a result he has received international recognition such the Percy Qoboza Award for Outstanding Courage from the National Association of Black Journalists of the U.S.  Following the publication of the book Blood Diamonds: Corruption and Torture in Angola Rafael Morais currently faces a court case that could lead to 15 years in prison and a $1.2 million dollar fine.  Joining us to discuss the Plight of Angolan Journalist/Activist Rafael Marques de Morais is Ms. Sarah Hager.

The Mali Empire was a vast territory that expanded from the Atlantic coast of West Africa across the savannah lands to Timbuktu and Gao.  The recent book Kuma Malinke Historiography: Sundiata Keita to Almamy Samori Toure by Dr. Nubia Kai explores the history and impact of the Mali Empire. The abstract notes that the publication “…examines the philosophy of history and methodology of the Malinke historians through an in-depth analysis of historical oral literature and the griots’ own theories of the art of history.  Kai discusses griot accounts of major historical figures, such as Sundiata Keita…Mansa Musa …Almamy Samori Toure, and their impact on Mali’s history. …”  Joining us to discuss Understanding the Present from the Past: Historiography of the Mali Empire is Dr. Nubia Kai.

Guests: Ms. Sarah Hager is Co-Group leader at Amnesty International USA, serving as Chair of the Southern Africa Co-Group where she guides the efforts of Country Specialists monitoring human rights in twelve countries.    Dr. Nubia Kai formerly of Howard University, and University of Maryland.  She has been published in Black Scholar, Black American Literature Forum, and Journal of the African Literature Association.  Historian and Poet Dr. Kai has also won numerous honors, which include the Michigan Council Arts Awards, D.C. Commission of the Arts Awards, and National Endowment for the Arts Awards, just to name a few.

Originally broadcast on WPFW 89.3FM, Washington, DC.  Tune into Africa Now! live on WPFW 89.3 FM in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area or visit www.wpfwfm.org on Wednesdays from 1:00 to 2:00PM (Eastern).