Category Archives: Africa

Back in Durban

Posted on July 18, 2006 by Timothy Burke

Back from the conference, which was held in northern KwaZulu-Natal, where there was no Internet access. I’m at a very slooooow wireless access point in a nearby mall, so lengthier entries (of which I have a few stored up) will … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Miscellany | 1 Comment

Come Together

Posted on July 12, 2006 by Timothy Burke

Durban has, like every other South African city, an amazing amount of residential security, but it doesn’t have either the fortress feeling or looming menace of Johannesburg, a city that I honestly fear. Still, for all the efforts to reform … Continue reading →

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Durban

Posted on July 11, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I’ve been to Durban a couple of times now, and always liked it. That’s partly the warming effect of having good friends here, and partly the cooling effect of the fact that I’ve always visited during June-August, when the weather … Continue reading →

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Arrived

Posted on July 11, 2006 by Timothy Burke

In Durban now. It’s a pleasant, hazy day. My main objective at this point (and doubtless this is a wish of my friends as well) is a shower.

Posted in Africa, Blogging | Comments Off on Arrived

In Transit

Posted on July 10, 2006 by Timothy Burke

On my way to South Africa for what promises to be a fascinating conference on African Technopolitics. I’m vaguely nervous as my paper has a goodly chunk of material from the chapter of my work-in-progress that has given me the … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Blogging, Information Technology and Information Literacy, Miscellany | 4 Comments

Rentiers of Sovereignty

Posted on June 16, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I’ve had to deal with a situation this week that involves some complicated transactions over the title to a used car, on behalf of someone else. The mechanisms of title transfer are a hassle, but I’m also largely glad that … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa, Politics | 13 Comments

History 8B. Mfecane, Mines and Mandela: Southern Africa from 1600 to 2006

Posted on May 17, 2006 by Timothy Burke

History 8B Mfecane, Mines and Mandela Professor Burke Fall 2006 This course is a survey of the history of Southern Africa, the region of the continent which today includes the nations of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, Mozambique, Angola, Zambia … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Africa | 1 Comment

Same As It Ever Was

Posted on March 2, 2006 by Timothy Burke

The Kenyan government has launched what amounts to a brazen assault on press freedom, sending hooded police into the offices of a major newspaper and burning an entire print run. The minister of Internal Security was ready with a depressingly … Continue reading →

Posted in Africa | 7 Comments

Africa in the Era of the Slave Trade, Spring 2006

Posted on January 10, 2006 by Timothy Burke

History 8a Africa in the Era of the Slave Trade Spring 2006 Professor Burke Swarthmore College This course is a survey of a broad era in African history, from around 1200 AD to 1850 or so, concentrating on the 17th … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Africa | 2 Comments

Rome vs. Oyo

Posted on January 2, 2006 by Timothy Burke

I’m really enjoying HBO’s series Rome. I gather BBC viewers have had a less detailed, more sex-focused version of the series to watch, which is a pity for them. What I’m enjoying in particular about the show is the meticulousness … Continue reading →

Posted in Academia, Africa | 5 Comments