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According to the latest MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index, two South African cities, Lagos, Casablanca and Cairo received the highest number of visitors in the continent last year. Johannesburg has emerged as the most popular destination city in Africa in 2016, followed by Cape Town, according to the annual MasterCard Global Destination Cities Index. Johannesburg welcomed 4.57 million international overnight …

Air Berlin will stop flying by 28 October at the latest as the administrators for the insolvent airline continue discussions with prospective buyers. The airline had already announced the end of its long-haul routes as aircraft lessors started taking back planes from the bankrupt carrier, now all Air Berlin flights will cease, although subsidiaries Niki and LG Walter will continue …

Hilton Worldwide plans to spend $50 million over the next five years to renovate and rebrand 29 hotels in Africa, it said on Thursday, joining other chains keen to tap growing business and international travel on the continent. One property will open in the Kenyan capital Nairobi by the end of this year and another in the Rwandan capital Kigali …

The number of African governments selling land to foreign investors has increased dramatically over the past decade. As the Africa Film Festival in Cologne showed, many filmmakers are now tackling the difficult subject in their work, reports Aude Gensbittel. “How can they say the land is not ours?” asks Okello O to the camera, horrified. “Our ancestors are buried here, …

A British Airways hostess has been sacked after a Snapchat video she recorded slamming Nigerian passengers went viral. Joanne Wickenden, who was wearing her uniform in the minute-long video, was complaining about excessive demands by Nigerian passengers while making references to male genitals. “All the Nigerians are gonna be there like ‘gimme Coca Cola, gimme beef, why you have no …

A new museum which, according to experts, will transform the way contemporary African art, is viewed opens its doors for the first time today (22 September). The Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (Zeitz MOCAA) is located at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, South Africa. The 100,000-square-foot space on the V&A waterfront comprises 80 galleries spread over nine floors, …

The biggest festival dedicated to African filmmaking in Germany marks an important milestone from 21 September to 1 October 2017. About 80 new feature films, documentary films and short films will be presented in the presence of 20 directors as Afrika Film Festival celebrates 25 years of its existence in Cologne. Already the prologue of the Africa Film Festival has …

The drinking has begun as wet weather and enhanced security did not dampen the spirits of beer enthusiasts at the 184th Oktoberfest which opened in Munich on Saturday (16 September). Six million people from all over the world are expected to visit the world’s largest beer festival, which runs until 3 October. This year, visitors will be able to download …

Ethiopians ushered in a New Year on 11 September with bright and colourful decorations in the capital, Addis Ababa, and other cities and towns across the country. Nationals enter the year 2010 according to the Ethiopian Orthodox calendar, which is nearly seven years behind the Gregorian calendar commonly used worldwide. Locally known as Enkutatash, Amharic for gift of jewels, family …

The city of Frankfurt will again host the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and its sister event Nollywood Europe Golden Award (NEGA) on 8-10 September. Some of the leading lights of the Nigerian and Ghanaian film industry will grace the festival. Among these is Naida Buari, the Ghanaian diva, whose new film “Deranged” will be premiered at the festival. Other …

Around 200 authors from over 40 countries are expected to attend the Berlin International Literature Festival on 6 – 16 September to consider the current challenges facing literature. Among leading writers expected to attend the festival are India’s Arundhati Roy, France’s Yasmina Reza and the US’s Donna Leon with authors presenting new works at about 100 events, organizers said. Now …

The Igbo culture of Nigeria will be celebrated on Saturday, 26 August when the Anambra Day holds in Frankfurt am Main. Hosted by the Anambra Progressive Union (APU), the festival of arts and culture will feature music and dance performances as well as a display of Igbo folklore in drama and poetry. Other activities to take place on the Anambra …

Sauti Sol, a popular Kenyan award-winning group, will perform live with their band in Berlin’s Kesselhaus on 8 September and in Cologne’s Sartory on 9 September. This is the start of their European Tour. Naming a few of their accolades to date, they won East African Artists of the Year (2016 Bingwa Awards), Best African Group at African Muzik Magazine …

Through an innovative partnership showcasing South Africa’s diverse tourism attractions, the South African launch of Nollywood action comedy 10 Days in Sun City recently took place at Sun City where the movie was filmed. Directed by South African-based Nigerian director Adze Ugah, the movie is the highest-earning film in Nigeria this year and topped the country’s box office for two …

Crisis-stricken German airline Air Berlin is seeking protection from its creditors after running out of cash to stay solvent. But the airline says it wants to remain in operation following a government bailout. In a stock market filing Tuesday, Germany’s second largest airline said it had filed for bankruptcy protection after its main shareholder, Gulf carrier Etihad, had withdrawn funding …

In a development that will make crossing the Mediterranean for migrants more dangerous, German aid group Sea-Eye has announced it will suspend rescue operations. The announcement comes a day after Doctors without Borders (MSF) took a similar decision citing security concerns. Italian co-operation with Libyan authorities in the policing of the coastal waters of the North African country seems to …

“Emoji” is now a German word, as are “Darknet” and “Tablet.” The official dictionary of the German language, the Duden, is getting an update, adding 5,000 new words taken from contemporary society. “The only thing that is constant is change.” The wise words of Greek philosopher Heraclitus also hold true in the German language, if the new Duden dictionary is …

The annual summer season of African music and culture in Germany, which has been in full swing since April, is slowly nearing its close. However, there are still some outstanding festivals still to take place. Here are 7 Top Festivals, holding from now until the end of summer, promising an unforgettable experience: Afrika Karibik Festival Aschaffenburg  10 – 13 August …

The biggest festival dedicated to African filmmaking in Germany will mark an important milestone from 21 September to 1 October 2017. About 80 new feature films, documentary films and short films will be presented in the presence of 20 directors as Afrika Film Festival celebrates 25 years of its existence in Cologne. In June 1992, the organisation FilmInitiativ Köln e.V. …

From Friday, 4 to Sunday, 6 August, the German town of Emmendingen is once again the focus of African culture and, above all, the music of the continent. The African Music Festival kicks off on Friday with the relaxed rhythms of Salsa and Latin. Soneros de Verdad will once again be entertaining on this evening. Latin & Afro Cuban music …