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“I was taking notes because, you know, Yvonne has plans,” wrote actor Idris Elba on time spent with Freetown Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr. These words were part of Time Magazine’s intro of her as one of 2021’s global leaders to watch. It’s true. The Mayor, who took office in 2018 after decades working in the private sector, has plans—big plans. What sets Aki-Sawyerr apart is she is turning hers into reality, and pulling Freetown and its people out of decades of decay along with her. In early April 2021, the Mayor spoke to African Centre for Cities Director Edgar Pieterse. Their conversation covered her battle to infuse pride and a new culture of public service in the City’s government. Also an architect of Sierra Leone’s Ebola crisis response, Aki-Sawyerr spoke about how, as Mayor, this experience helped her prepare for the city’s Covid-19 response.

Edgar Pieterse

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Finding Dakar by Emmanuelle Andrianjafy

After years of living in Dakar, where she relocated in 2011, Emmanuelle Andrianjafy (b. 1983, Madagascar) embarked on a walking tour of the city. In 2014 “I walked the city in order to experience it,” she says. While exploring the city over an extended period on foot for the first time, she captured the following series of black and white images that show a raw yet intimate side of the city. Since then she has produced several projects, and was winner of the 2017 MACK First Book Award, Contemporary African Photography Prize and finalist of the Aperture Portfolio Prize.

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Reform in Colombia

Immigration reforms aimed at addressing the tide of Venezuelan refugees are met with suspicion. Are they a genuine humanitarian gesture or the political manoeuvers of an unpopular president?

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Whiplash in Manchester

An unprecedented and welcome decision in Manchester and its unexpected reversal confounds affordable housing advocates

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Confusion in Harare

Murky government communication and inconsistent enforcement of lockdown rules highlight a growing class divide

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A fláneur in Guangzhou

Flâneuring through Guangzhou reveals a city coming to terms with a “new normal” that’s filled with unexpected treasures...and food

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A fearful future

Cape Town’s art scene fumbles its way through a series of lockdowns

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Government sanctioned destruction in Cairo

A wave of government demolitions making way for new construction and highway expansion is causing chaos

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Broken dreams in Delhi

Exploitative lending practices and pandemic disruptions are destroying the livelihoods and dreams of transport workers in New Delhi

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Sanctuary & contemplation amidst uncertainty

A backyard food garden became an oasis for a nomadic Brooklyn family

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Communities can protect themselves

Block Clubs can empower citizens to take more responsibility for watching over their communities

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Health is everyone’s business

The youth have something to say about the health and future of our planet

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Funding same-sex programs

There is an urgent need to critically engage with how internationally-funded HIV health programs are being rolled out

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The constitution during emergencies

South Africa needs to redefine whose interests its laws are meant to protect in moments of crisis like the Covid-19 pandemic

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    Finding Dakar

    Camera in hand, Emmanuelle Andrianjafy set out to explore her new home

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    Anonymous Neighbours

    Erica Canepa made new connections — from a distance

 

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