African music is on fire—like, hot-out-of-the-pan chips mayai (or zege, as the streets call it) kind of fire. Yet, when the 67th Grammy nominations dropped, the absence of TitoM and Diamond Platnumz, for example, was like discovering your favourite roadside chips mayai joint wasn’t on the “best restaurants” list. Tasty? Absolutely. Acknowledged? Not today.
Diamond’s Komasava and TitoM and Yupee’s Tshwala Bam were global sensations. But when it came to Grammy love, it seems someone forgot to invite the whole of Africa to the table this time around.
Sure, the Grammys gave us the shiny new Best African Music Performance category—like handing over a plastic fork while the others get silverware. It’s progress, but let’s hold off on the celebratory soda.
This year, Chris Brown’s Sensational landed a spot in the category, sparking mixed reactions. While it features Afro-inspired vibes, it raises the question: are we honouring African artistry or just borrowing the sound?
The issue? The Grammys still believe global success needs a Western accent. Forget the millions of streams on platforms like Boomplay and Audiomack; if it’s not viral on TikTok U.S. or playing at Coachella, it might as well not exist.
It’s like someone saying they “adore African culture” but only knowing two words: Hakuna Matata.
And honestly, what else does an African artiste have to do to get noticed? Diamond Platnumz has been running on turbo mode—world tours, bilingual hits, and collaborations spanning continents. TitoM and Yupee’s Tshwala Bam had clubs on lockdown across the continent and beyond.
Here’s the thing: African music doesn’t need validation to shine. It’s already redefining global charts, filling stadiums, and inspiring trends. But it would be nice if the Grammys stopped acting like they discovered African music yesterday.
Until then, we’ll keep vibing, munching on zege, and watching as Africa continues its global takeover—Grammys or not.
What do you think? Should we send the Grammys a sizzling plate of chips mayai with a side of hits, or wait for them to catch up on their own time?
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Tanzania Confirms Outbreak of Marburg Virus Disease
Dodoma — Tanzania today confirmed an outbreak of Marburg virus disease in the northwestern Kagera region after one case tested positive for the virus following investigations and laboratory analysis of suspected cases of the disease.
President of the Republic of Tanzania, Her Excellency Samia Suluhu Hassan, made the announcement during a press briefing alongside World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, in the country’s administrative capital Dodoma.
“Laboratory tests conducted in Kabaile Mobile Laboratory in Kagera and later confirmed in Dar es Salaam identified one patient as being infected with the Marburg virus. Fortunately, the remaining suspected patients tested negative,” the president said. “We have demonstrated in the past our ability to contain a similar outbreak and are determined to do the same this time around.”
A total of 25 suspected cases have been reported as of 20 January 2025, all of whom have tested negative and are currently under close follow-up, the president said. The cases have been reported in Biharamulo and Muleba districts in Kagera.
“We have resolved to reassure the general public in Tanzania and the international community as a whole of our collective determination to address the global health challenges, including the Marburg virus disease,” said H.E President Hassan.
WHO is supporting Tanzanian health authorities to enhance key outbreak control measures including disease surveillance, testing, treatment, infection prevention and control, case management, as well as increasing public awareness among communities to prevent further spread of the virus.
“WHO, working with its partners, is committed to supporting the government of Tanzania to bring the outbreak under control as soon as possible, and to build a healthier, safer, fairer future for all the people of Tanzania,” said Dr Tedros. “Now is a time for collaboration, and commitment, to protecting the health of all people in Tanzania, and the region, from the risks posed by this disease.”
Marburg virus disease is highly virulent and causes haemorrhagic fever. It belongs to the same family as the virus that causes Ebola virus disease. Illness caused by Marburg virus begins abruptly. Patients present with high fever, severe headache and severe malaise. They may develop severe haemorrhagic symptoms within seven days.
“The declaration by the president and the measures being taken by the government are crucial in addressing the threat of this disease at the local and national levels as well as preventing potential cross-border spread,” said Dr Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director for Africa. “Our priority is to support the government to rapidly scale up measures to effectively respond to this outbreak and safeguard the health of the population,”
Tanzania previously reported an outbreak of Marburg in March 2023 – the country’s first – in Kagera region, in which a total of nine cases (eight confirmed and one probable) and six deaths were reported, with a case fatality ratio of 67%.
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In the African region, previous outbreaks and sporadic cases have been reported in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Kenya, Equatorial Guinea, Rwanda, South Africa and Uganda.
Marburg virus is transmitted to people from fruit bats and spreads among humans through direct contact with the bodily fluids of infected people, surfaces and materials. Although several promising candidate medical countermeasures are currently undergoing clinical trials, there is no licensed treatment or vaccine for effective management or prevention of Marburg virus disease. However, early access to treatment and supportive care – rehydration with oral or intravenous fluids – and treatment of specific symptoms, improve survival.
Source: allafrica.com
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