James Hall(@hallaboutafrica) 's Twitter Profileg
James Hall

@hallaboutafrica

Writer, historian, author of 7 books, 6000+ articles on Africa. My new website AFRICA TODAY/Yesterday: The Calendar of African History: https://t.co/yJzcSd6Jf7

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calendar_today25-03-2014 11:32:05

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Tall five year-old. Happy 5th birthday Uganda's tallest building, opened today in 2019. The URA Tower (Uganda Revenue Authority) was new home for workers from Entebbe & Kampala. For more African history each day of year see The Calendar of African History africatodayyesterday.org/days/19-jan

Tall five year-old. Happy 5th birthday Uganda's tallest building, opened today in 2019. The URA Tower (Uganda Revenue Authority) was new home for workers from Entebbe & Kampala. For more African history each day of year see The Calendar of African History africatodayyesterday.org/days/19-jan
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Happy 90th anniversary, Nigeria's first institution of higher learning, Yaba Higher College, formally opened today in 1934 in the Lagos suburb of Yaba. Photo shows class of Nigeria's first medical students there, with skeleton. More Jan 19 African history: africatodayyesterday.org/days/19-jan

Happy 90th anniversary, Nigeria's first institution of higher learning, Yaba Higher College, formally opened today in 1934 in the Lagos suburb of Yaba. Photo shows class of Nigeria's first medical students there, with skeleton. More Jan 19 African history: africatodayyesterday.org/days/19-jan
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Congrats Ghana's architect and educator Lesley Lokko: receives one of world's top architectural prizes: the Royal Institute of British Architect's prestigious Royal Gold Medal. She is the first black woman recipient and only second black person to win since award began in 1848.

Congrats Ghana's architect and educator Lesley Lokko: receives one of world's top architectural prizes: the Royal Institute of British Architect's prestigious Royal Gold Medal. She is the first black woman recipient and only second black person to win since award began in 1848.
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100 years of Durban, South Africa Rickshaws. Originally, Zulu boys pulled tourists along the beach, then men 'warriors' took over, their fantastical outfits growing more elaborate each year. Left: 1954. Right: 1998. See Jan. 19 Calendar of African History africatodayyesterday.org/days/19-jan

100 years of Durban, South Africa Rickshaws. Originally, Zulu boys pulled tourists along the beach, then men 'warriors' took over, their fantastical outfits growing more elaborate each year. Left: 1954. Right: 1998. See Jan. 19 Calendar of African History africatodayyesterday.org/days/19-jan
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Shipping around South Africa's cape is up 53% so far this year as ships avoid Red Sea attacks carried out by Yemen's Houthi. The voyage from England to India takes 17 days via the Suez Canal, but 33 days via SA, adding to cost, delays, and loss of income for Egypt.

Shipping around South Africa's cape is up 53% so far this year as ships avoid Red Sea attacks carried out by Yemen's Houthi. The voyage from England to India takes 17 days via the Suez Canal, but 33 days via SA, adding to cost, delays, and loss of income for Egypt.
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Congrats South Africa: popularity of its herbal Rooibos Tea grows worldwide. 2023 exports of 9000 metric tonnes (out of 20,000 mt grown) way up from only 500mt exported in 1996. This week China drops import tax on Rooibos to 6%, down from 15%.

Congrats South Africa: popularity of its herbal Rooibos Tea grows worldwide. 2023 exports of 9000 metric tonnes (out of 20,000 mt grown) way up from only 500mt exported in 1996. This week China drops import tax on Rooibos to 6%, down from 15%.
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Today is World Popcorn Day. Africa's top producer of the inflatable corn kernel is Nigeria. Popcorn comes in two shapes: the round Mushroom and the winged Butterfly. Popcorn is low calorie (without butter and salt) and high on fibre.🍿😋

Today is World Popcorn Day. Africa's top producer of the inflatable corn kernel is Nigeria. Popcorn comes in two shapes: the round Mushroom and the winged Butterfly. Popcorn is low calorie (without butter and salt) and high on fibre.🍿😋
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That's good news. Blast fishing using dynamite was a deadly problem 10years ago in East Africa. It sends dead fish floating to the surface for an easy catch but destroys all other sea life and environment. 5year prison terms (12months for possessing explosives) have been helpful.

That's good news. Blast fishing using dynamite was a deadly problem 10years ago in East Africa. It sends dead fish floating to the surface for an easy catch but destroys all other sea life and environment. 5year prison terms (12months for possessing explosives) have been helpful.
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Africans like each other's company, says new data. lntra-Africa travel was made easier in 2023. In 28% of all intra-Africa trips, African citizens didn't require a visa to visit another African country, up from 27% in 2022 and 20% in 2016. Improvement needed, but progress evident

Africans like each other's company, says new data. lntra-Africa travel was made easier in 2023. In 28% of all intra-Africa trips, African citizens didn't require a visa to visit another African country, up from 27% in 2022 and 20% in 2016. Improvement needed, but progress evident
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Today in 1932, Africa's first traffic light is installed, in Cape Town, on Darling Street. 5 years before, Johannesburg installed one but a motorist knocked it down after 20 minutes. South Africans call the signals 'robots.' See more Africa Jan 18 history: africatodayyesterday.org/days/18-jan

Today in 1932, Africa's first traffic light is installed, in Cape Town, on Darling Street. 5 years before, Johannesburg installed one but a motorist knocked it down after 20 minutes. South Africans call the signals 'robots.' See more Africa Jan 18 history: africatodayyesterday.org/days/18-jan
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Stealthy hunter. One of Africa's native small cat species, the Caracal, found in rocky hills and grasslands, is built 'for sneak attacks,' with large ears to detect sounds of prey. Even 'domesticated' caracals raised with humans remain wild, unpredictable, aggressive.

Stealthy hunter. One of Africa's native small cat species, the Caracal, found in rocky hills and grasslands, is built 'for sneak attacks,' with large ears to detect sounds of prey. Even 'domesticated' caracals raised with humans remain wild, unpredictable, aggressive.
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700 years of marijuana use in Ethiopia. Carbon dating has found pipes used in 1320s AD. Originally grown for medicinal purposes in the mountains, the psychoactive weed became a smoke. Still popular (US$20 buys a 50gm pack) cannabis is illegal (6 months in jail if you're caught).

700 years of marijuana use in Ethiopia. Carbon dating has found pipes used in 1320s AD. Originally grown for medicinal purposes in the mountains, the psychoactive weed became a smoke. Still popular (US$20 buys a 50gm pack) cannabis is illegal (6 months in jail if you're caught).
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Today in 1974: One of Africa’s most iconic nature photographs is taken of Kenya’s giant elephant Ahmed as he encounters one of his game ranger protectors, who stands respectfully before him. The bond between the two is clearly felt. See Jan 17 history here africatodayyesterday.org/days/17-jan

Today in 1974: One of Africa’s most iconic nature photographs is taken of Kenya’s giant elephant Ahmed as he encounters one of his game ranger protectors, who stands respectfully before him. The bond between the two is clearly felt. See Jan 17 history here africatodayyesterday.org/days/17-jan
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South Africa’s biggest solar array is now online - generating more power than area coal power station: 1,140MWh. The owner of the Kenhardt hybrid solar and battery (pic R) facility in Northern Cape has a 20-year deal to sell electricity to the national grid of power-challenged SA

South Africa’s biggest solar array is now online - generating more power than area coal power station: 1,140MWh. The owner of the Kenhardt hybrid solar and battery (pic R) facility in Northern Cape has a 20-year deal to sell electricity to the national grid of power-challenged SA
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Today in 1961: Patrice Lumumba, independence leader and first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is assassinated after only 10 months in office; executed by a firing squad of Belgian and Congolese officers. See Africa's Jan 17 events here: africatodayyesterday.org/days/17-jan

Today in 1961: Patrice Lumumba, independence leader and first Prime Minister of the Democratic Republic of Congo, is assassinated after only 10 months in office; executed by a firing squad of Belgian and Congolese officers. See Africa's Jan 17 events here: africatodayyesterday.org/days/17-jan
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Mali's Great Mosque of Djenné is getting its annual repair. Work is done by hand using the logs permanently embedded in the walls as ladders, and which add a decorative touch. In 1907, the original mosque (built in 13th century) was recreated anew using the original plan.

Mali's Great Mosque of Djenné is getting its annual repair. Work is done by hand using the logs permanently embedded in the walls as ladders, and which add a decorative touch. In 1907, the original mosque (built in 13th century) was recreated anew using the original plan.
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Majestic. The King's Palace at Nyanza, Rwanda was a temporary structure by nature because it was constructed of woven grass. But this faithful reconstruction on its site captures the builders' impressive artistry. The fragrance of the grass perfumed the tall domed structure.

Majestic. The King's Palace at Nyanza, Rwanda was a temporary structure by nature because it was constructed of woven grass. But this faithful reconstruction on its site captures the builders' impressive artistry. The fragrance of the grass perfumed the tall domed structure.
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