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?