African Design Magazine February 2015 | Page 4

AD Editor’s view What’s in store for Africa in 2015? After a tumultuous 2014 for Africa, is 2015 looking any better? South Africa was gripped by the Oscar Pistorious and Shrien Dewani trials in 2014, the debate surrounding the Nkandla homestead of President Jacob Zuma and national power provider Eskom’s rolling blackouts. Lesotho’s stability was shaken in August when soldiers raided the official residence of Prime Minister Tom Thabane, causing him to flee into nearby South Africa, while in October, Zambia woke up to the news of the death of its president, Michael Sata, who had been rumoured ill for some time. In Nigeria, more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped by Boko Haram while the groups attacks grow more and more violent, and scores of people were killed in September when a multi-storey guest house attached to the church of one of Nigeria’s most famous preachers and televangelists, TB Joshua, collapsed in Lagos. In July, Air Algerie lost contact with one of its planes bound for Algiers, nearly an hour after takeoff from Burkina Faso. The wreckage of the aircraft carrying at least 116 people was later found in Mali. And Uganda was shocked by the case of the maid who was filmed torturing the toddler she was paid to take care of. Gregg Cocking The biggest challenge, however, for the continent in 2015 will be ending the Ebola epidemic in West Africa, yet the issues of poverty, HIV/Aids and crime are never far from our minds. On a positive note, we have the successful African Cup of Nations currently running and a number of democratic elections happening this year which could bring positive change for millions. We also have a unique African outlook; we can change the world one step at a time – do what you can everyday to make a difference. AD Published by African Design Magazine (Pty) Ltd, PO Box 9802, Edenglen, Johannesburg, South Africa, 1613 Cover photograph: Ramzi Towers, Nigeria How to get in touch with African Design Magazine Editorial Gregg Cocking Cell: [phone] Email: [email protected] Advertising enquiries Lesley Shapiro Cell: [phone] Email: [email protected] While precautions have been taken to ensure the accuracy of its contents and information, neither the editor, publisher, or its agents can accept responsibility for damages or injury which may arise therefrom. All rights reserved. © African Design Magazine. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form, photocopying, electronic, mechanical or otherwise without the prior written permission of the copyright owners. www.africandesignmagazine.com Facebook: AfricanDesignMagazine Twitter: @AfricanDesignMagazine 4 africandesignmagazine.com