On air: Will high-speed internet really change Africa?

If you believe the hype, Africa is about to undergo a major digital revolution. Within the couple of months, four high-speed fibre optic cables, lain across the ocean floor, will join the continent up to the rest of the world via broadband. For a continent which has relied on satellites and dial-up, the promise of significantly cheaper and significantly faster internet connections is tantalising. But with the vast majority of the continent’s population still living in rural areas, many still without the basics of clean water and reliable electricity, how much are the much heralded connections really going to change life for the average African?

Computer education Rwandan style

This morning we did some broadcasts from one of Rwanda’s two ICT buses which go out into rural areas to teach people about technology. Each bus has 20 top of the range laptops and is run by a generator – handy for districts which don’t have any electricity at all.

Listen to my two-way with The World Today this morning about the ICT buses.

Do you agree with this comment?

“There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African American should not be president,” those are former President Carter’s words, discussing the verbal attacks on President Obama that have included last week’s outburst by Republican lawmaker Joe Wilson.

Is he right? In the past few weeks attacks on President Obama’s healthcare reform plans have been relentless. But do you think they are based on racist sentiments or are they attacks of citizens frustrated at their president’s decisions?

Should Muntadar al-Zaidi be welcomed as a hero?

UPDATE: Muntadar al-Zaidi has just been released.

Muntadar al-Zaidi, the Iraqi journalist that got you all talking around the world, for throwing his shoes at former US President George W Bush during a news conference is due to reach the end of his prison sentence.

His family is reported to be preparing a hero’s welcome if he leaves prison, as expected. Should he come home to a hero’s welcome?

On air: Does ‘sorry’ excuse this kind of behaviour?

Three stars behaving badly are grabbing your attention today.

Here’s Kanye West at the MTV VMAs. (I’ll warn you, if your cringe threshold is low, you may want to watch this through your fingers.)

He’s since apologised, blogging that, “I’m soooo sorry to Taylor Swift, her fans and her mom.’

Should Elton John be allowed to adopt?

We’ve discussed this on Madonna’s first and second adoptions. And many articles today starting with the lines “move over Madonna and Angelina Jolie…”

The latest to spark the celebrity adoption debate is Sir Elton John who has announced his plans to adopt a 14-month-old boy from Ukraine. On a trip with his AIDS Foundation to an orphanage in Eastern Europe the multi platinum selling musician said that baby Lev has stolen his heart.

Would you let your child go to a spa?

And not just any spa, this is one of three spas in Beirut that are open for children.

“The kid is the main client here, but the mom can also do her nails or get a brushing [blow dry],” explained Maya Kabbani Hilal, the 34-year-old owner and creator of Spa-Tacular Salon and Spa . “Kids come in to take care of themselves, to look good and to pamper themselves.”

How do you decide someone’s gender ?

“Caster is a woman, she remains our heroine. We must protect her.” – SA Sports Minister Makhenkesi Stofile.

Tests on 800 metre world champion Caster Semenya are likely to show that she has an “inter gender” condition. 

Sydney’s Daily Telegraph say Ms Semenya is a hermaphrodite. (definition here )

Should a Five Year Old Know about Sex?

Thank you from the Newshour team for all your brilliant comments on the United Nations’ sex education guidelines. Saturday’s on air discussion is now over, but we’ve continued to receive many interesting views on whether it’s appropriate to learn about sex at an early age. We appreciate your willingness to delve into what can be a very sensitive topic.

Rwanda Have Your Say

Next week, WHYS will broadcast its first ever programmes from Rwanda.

Madeleine, Claudia, Phil (our engineer) and myself leave on Sunday to present and produce three shows in and around the capital, Kigali.

Here’s a guide to the history of the country, though the events of 1994  will be for many of you, the abiding and most recent impression of Rwanda.