Latest news with #African-born
DW
15-07-2025
- Politics
- DW
Berlin to change racist street name after legal battle – DW – 07/15/2025
The renaming of a Berlin boulevard that has used a racist term to Anton-Wilhelm-Amo-Strasse, after Germany's first African-born scholar, highlights a long struggle to erase symbols of a brutal colonial past. "Decolonization does not happen by changing a few street names," the political scientist and human rights activist Joshua Kwesi Aikins told DW after it was announced that a central city street with a name that many regard as racist would honor Anton Wilhelm Amo, a Black German Enlightenment philosopher who in 1734 became the first Africa-born scholar to receive a doctorate from a European university. That was in 2020. At the time, the district council of Berlin-Mitte had approved the renaming, but, before it was implemented, residents filed a lawsuit against it. The Higher Administrative Court of Berlin-Brandenburg has now upheld a decision by the Berlin Administrative Court stating that residents have no legal basis to take legal action against the name change. Several civil society groups have lobbied for decades to change the name of Mohren or "Moor" Street (respectfully referred to as M-Strasse), and the U-Bahn station of the same name. Moor, in its Greek roots, means dark or black, but also "stupid or primitive," Aikins said. M-Strasse runs through the old quarter of the former Prussian city, steps away from the controversial rebuilt Berlin Palace that oversaw colonial forays into Africa, and near the former chancellor's residence and venue for the 1884 Berlin Conference. In the words of Berlin-based British-Ugandan writer Musa Okwonga, the major European colonial powers gathered at that conference "discussed how they might divide up Africa." The conference would also kickstart Germany's genocidal colonial rule in Namibia. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video The M-word's overt racist connotations further derive from the 18th-century practice of bringing enslaved Africans to Germany as so-called "court moors" to work as servants or to entertain the Brandenburg electors and Prussian kings as musicians. "The street name given at the beginning of the 18th century transports this racist experience of violence against Black people in Berlin to the present day," wrote historian Christian Kopp of Decolonize Berlin-Mitte. These slaves were mostly brought from the Brandenburg-Prussian colony in current-day Ghana (then known as the Brandenburger Gold Coast) that existed from 1862 to 1720. Anton Wilhelm Amo himself is believed to have been enslaved in Ghana as a boy, and was ultimately gifted to the Duke of Braunschweig-Wolfenbüttel in 1707, the year M-Strasse was named. Despite his displacement, he embraced his German identity while never forgetting his African heritage. Amo's thesis in law at the University of Halle is lost but was titled "The Rights of Blacks in Europe." Learning six languages, his later doctoral thesis weighed in on René Descartes' mind-body duality. Yet this Black German trailblazer has been largely erased from European intellectual history. The M-Strasse subway station was itself the product of a renaming in 1991 in the wake of reunification, having been previously called Otto-Grotewohl-Strasse after a GDR politician. The use of the racist name was called out at the time by pioneering Afro-German activist May Ayim, a poet of Ghanaian descent who co-founded the Initiative Schwarze Menschen in Deutschland Bund e. V. (Initiative of Black People in Germany) in 1986 and edited the defining book, "Showing Our Colors: Afro-German Women Speak Out." Ayim pursued her efforts to reveal the coded racism in reunified Germany. In the 1990s, she was outspoken in her opposition to the street name, which in her view stood for the fact that Germany's Black community was not included in the country's essentially white reunification process after the fall of the Berlin Wall. In 2010, a Kreuzberg riverfront was renamed after Ayim, who died in 1996. It was one of the first acts of decolonization, the shore having been named after Otto Friedrich von der Groeben, who in the late 17th century founded the Brandenburg-Prussian colony in Ghana.
Business Insider
13-07-2025
- Business
- Business Insider
8 African-born billionaires make list of America's richest immigrants
A new Forbes report has revealed that eight African-born billionaires are among the record 125 foreign-born individuals who have built billion-dollar fortunes while living in the United States. Eight African-born billionaires are featured in Forbes' 2025 list of America's Richest Immigrants. These individuals represent 6 African countries and include Elon Musk from South Africa as the richest global immigrant. Immigrant billionaires constitute 14% of U.S.-based billionaires, controlling 18% of total U.S. billionaire wealth. These African names appear in the 2025 edition of America's Richest Immigrants, a Forbes ranking that reflects not just personal wealth but also the broader influence of immigrant entrepreneurship in America. These billionaires, originally from 41 countries, account for 14% of all U.S.-based billionaires and hold 18% of the nation's total billionaire wealth. Forbes notes that the vast majority 93% of these individuals are self-made, with many building their fortunes in tech and finance. One of the most notable names is Elon Musk, born in South Africa, who ranks as the richest immigrant and the richest person globally with an estimated fortune of $393.1 billion. Musk, who moved to the U.S. via Canada as a student, built his wealth through Tesla and SpaceX. America's richest African immigrants hail from South Africa Below is a table highlighting African-born billionaires on Forbes' 2025 list of America's richest immigrants: Rank Name Net Worth Industry Country of Origin 1st Elon Musk $393.1B Tesla, SpaceX South Africa 34th Patrick Soon-Shiong $5.6B Pharmaceuticals South Africa 54th Rodney Sacks & Family $3.6B Energy Drinks South Africa 61st Haim Saban $3.1B TV, Investments Egypt 77th Adebayo 'Bayo' Ogunlesi $2.4B Private Equity Nigeria 89th Marc Lasry $1.9B Hedge Funds Morocco 97th Bharat Desai $1.6B IT Consulting Kenya 106th Tope Awotona $1.4B Software Nigeria The 2025 billionaire rankings highlight South Africa as the African country with the most representation, led by Elon Musk, whose $393.1 billion fortune places him at the top globally. He is joined by Patrick Soon-Shiong ($5.6B, pharmaceuticals) and Rodney Sacks ($3.6B, energy drinks), underscoring South Africa's strong ties to global business. Nigeria follows with two names: Adebayo 'Bayo' Ogunlesi ($2.4B, private equity) and Tope Awotona ($1.4B, software), reflecting the country's growing presence in finance and tech. Egypt, Morocco, and Kenya each have one representative: Haim Saban ($3.1B), Marc Lasry ($1.9B), and Bharat Desai ($1.6B), respectively. The rankings reveal a regional wealth concentration, with South Africa and Nigeria leading Africa's billionaire count. The increase in immigrant billionaires from 92 in 2022 to 125 in 2025 marks a significant demographic shift. Their wealth, entrepreneurial success, and deep presence in sectors like tech and finance underscore what Forbes describes as the 'immigrant mindset': a relentless drive built on resilience, appreciation for opportunity, and a unique ability to innovate from outside the conventional mold.
IOL News
07-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Ouaddou backs African coaching talent as he begins new era with Orlando Pirates
New Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou says he's proud to trust local expertise, backing African coaching talent and embracing the club's existing technical team as he targets a return to glory for the Sea Robbers. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Abdeslam Ouaddou is an African through and through — and he firmly believes that African-born coaches have the competencies to lead the continent's biggest football teams. Ouaddou is the new head coach of Orlando Pirates, the South African giants who famously won the country's first CAF Champions League title in 1995. As such, expectations are high for him to awaken a sleeping giant, and to deliver domestic and continental success for the first time in 13 and 31 years respectively. The 46-year-old Moroccan, who earned 68 caps for his national team during his playing career, says he is ready for the challenge. Although he was largely unknown in local coaching circles before a recent stint at Marumo Gallants, many assumed he would bring his own trusted lieutenants to Pirates. Instead, he has embraced the technical team provided by the club — Mandla Ncikazi, Rayaan Jacobs, Helmi Gueldich and Tyron Damons. Speaking to Pirates TV, Ouaddou explained his decision. 'A lot of people may be asking, 'Why did he come alone?' Of course, I have staff that I work with — maybe five or six people,' said Ouaddou. 'But I came to Marumo alone, and here as well. I deeply believe in African competencies, and in South Africa we have them. There are big universities, sports universities, and people with proper coaching qualifications. If I bring my own people, what message am I sending as an African? "That we are not competent? 'If we take the time to properly profile the right people, you can find the competencies on our continent.' Ouaddou cited successful African-born coaches Djamel Belmadi (Algeria) and Aliou Cissé (Senegal), both of whom led their nations to Africa Cup of Nations titles, as further proof of local excellence. 'Some African coaches have won the AFCON — I can tell you about Belmadi and Cissé. So I believe in competencies. It's very important,' he added. 'I'm happy to work with the people already at the club. They have a legacy, and perhaps that can help us grow quicker.' However, Ouaddou is not naïve about the challenges that lie ahead. With a relatively new technical team and squad, he knows adaptation will be key. 'I've come into a family, and a big institution. Of course, I have to integrate myself,' he said. 'I am the head coach, so I have to use the competencies here — it's very important. But I also need help. 'At the same time, it can be dangerous. I'm not crazy — sometimes it can be bumpy if people don't give you the right space to help. So, I believe in trust and respect. "As long as we have those values, we can work together. I think we have a lot of competencies at the club.'
Time of India
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- Time of India
Trump slams Musk's political party as 'ridiculous'
US President Donald Trump on Sunday criticised Elon Musk for launching a new political outfit, calling the move 'ridiculous' and branding the billionaire entrepreneur a 'train wreck.' The sharp remarks deepen the rift between the two once-close allies. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads 'Saddened' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US President Donald Trump on Sunday slammed former ally Elon Musk's launching of a new political party as "ridiculous," deepening the Republican's feud with the man who was once his biggest also branded the SpaceX and Tesla tycoon a "TRAIN WRECK" who had gone "off the rails" after Musk said he wanted to challenge the current US political system The world's richest man was almost inseparable from Trump as he headed the cost-cutting "Department of Government Efficiency," but they fell out hard over the president's "big beautiful" tax and spending mega-bill."I think it's ridiculous to start a third party," Trump told reporters before he boarded Air Force One on his way back to Washington from his New Jersey golf club."It's always been a two-party system, and I think starting a third party just adds to confusion. Third parties have never worked. So he can have fun with it, but I think it's ridiculous," he African-born Musk announced on Saturday that he would create the so-called "America Party" to challenge what he called the United States' "one-party system."Musk says the president's massive domestic spending plan would explode the US debt, and has vowed to do everything in his power to defeat lawmakers who voted for former DOGE boss, who led a huge drive to slash federal spending and cut jobs, equated Trump's Republicans with rival Democrats when it came to domestic spending."When it comes to bankrupting our country with waste & graft, we live in a one-party system, not a democracy," Musk posted on X, the social media platform that he gave few details of his plan and it was not clear whether he had registered the party with US electoral authorities, but it could cause Republicans headaches in the 2026 midterm elections -- and a sign of how sensitive the issue could be for Trump, he took to his Truth Social network while still on Air Force One to double down on his assault on Musk."I am saddened to watch Elon Musk go completely 'off the rails,' essentially becoming a TRAIN WRECK over the past five weeks," Trump posted."The one thing Third Parties are good for is the creation of Complete and Total DISRUPTION & CHAOS, and we have enough of that with the Radical Left Democrats."In a lengthy diatribe, Trump repeated his earlier assertion that Musk's ownership of electric vehicle company Tesla had made him turn on the president due to the spending bill cutting subsidies for such has insisted that his opposition is primarily due to the bill increasing the US fiscal deficit and sovereign on Sunday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent also threw shade at Musk's attempts to enter the political fray, telling him to stick to running his asked by CNN if Musk's plan bothered the Trump administration, Bessent offered thinly veiled criticism."I believe that the boards of directors at his various companies wanted him to come back and run those companies, which he is better at than anyone," Bessent said."So I imagine that those board of directors did not like this announcement yesterday and will be encouraging him to focus on his business activities, not his political activities."Musk left DOGE in May to focus full-time on his corporate responsibilities, with Tesla's sales and image especially suffering from his brief venture into Trump's inner gave him a grand send-off in the Oval Office, during a bizarre ceremony during which Musk appeared with a black eye and received a golden key to the White House from the just days later the two were exchanging bitter insults on social media after Musk criticized Trump's flagship spending would not comment on Sunday when asked if he would be asking Musk to return the golden key.
Yahoo
27-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Chabria: Zohran Mamdani and Donald Trump have a lot in common. California should pay attention
Zohran Mamdani is a stylish, millennial, African-born Muslim with a Hollywood pedigree who just won the Democratic primary in the New York City mayor's race. If he sounds like Donald Trump's worst nightmare, he just might be. But he's also a lot like him. They're both charismatic leaders who have bucked their parties, tapped into the current political ethos that eschews traditional loyalties and by doing so, made themselves popular enough with fed-up voters to win elections when — to many in the political elite — they seem exactly like the kind of candidate who shouldn't be able to get their grandmother's vote. "Working-class people want somebody who really takes on the status quo, who pushes an economic populist agenda and convinces them that something's going to change," Lorena Gonzalez told me. She's the head of the California Labor Federation, which represents unions, and even she's fed up with Democrats. "There are days that I'm like, why am I still in this party?" she said. "When I see them cozy up to tech, when I see this abundance issue that streamlines worker protections, when I see this fascination with billionaires and this acquiescing to not taxing billionaires and not doing anything about rent control, you know, there's a point where I'm like, come on, grow some balls, go decide who you're for." Or, as Trump put it in a social media post after Mamdani's win, "Yes, this is a big moment in the History of our Country!" Read more: Chabria: How conflict with Iran could supercharge Trump's domestic agenda Trump is right, words that I don't often say — Mamdani's victory may signal something deeper than a lone mayor's race on the East Coast. People — both on the left and the right — crave authenticity, and want someone to believe in, be it an orange-hued boomer or a brown-skinned hipster. The Democrats, as political strategist Mike Madrid put it, are having their own Tea Party moment, when populist anger eats the old guard, as it did beginning in 2007 when the far-right of the Republican party began its now-successful takeover. Trump was never the impetus of the party's swing to the fringe, he just capitalized on it. "This is just a populist revolt of the Democratic Party against the establishment base," Madrid said. There's been ad nauseam amounts of pontificating about the current state of the Democratic party. Should it go more centrist? Should it embrace the progressive end? But the truth is the voters have already decided. They do indeed want lower grocery prices, as Trump promised but failed to deliver. But they also want democracy to not crumble. And they want to buy a house, and maybe not have their neighbors deported. But really, in that order. And they don't trust many, if not most, of the current Democrats in office to deliver. Like Republicans before them, they want outsiders (Mamdani, 33, is serving in the state Assembly), or at least someone who can sound like one. Gonzalez spends a lot of time talking to voters and she said left and right, Democrat and Republican, they see few differences remaining between the two parties, and are tired of voting for career politicians who haven't delivered on economic issues. Mamdani, whose mother is the film director Mira Nair (and who once rapped under the name Young Cardamom), campaigned on "a New York you can afford." That included freezing payments on rent-controlled apartments, building new affordable housing with union labor, making both transit and child care free and — you guessed it — cheaper groceries. Whether he delivers or not, those were messages that a broad swath of New Yorkers, struggling like all of us with the cost of living, wanted to hear. And he delivered them not just with credibility, but with an entertainment value that nods to his mom's influence: hamming it up Bollywood style for the South Asian aunties, walking the length of Manhattan to talk with people, jumping in the Atlantic ocean in a suit with a skinny tie. Charisma and chutzpah. Which, of course, is how Trump made his own rise, promising, with showman verve, to be the voice of the toiling voiceless who increasingly are in danger of becoming the working poor. Yes, he is a con man who is clearly for the rich. But still, he knows how to deliver a line to his base: "They're eating the cats. They're eating the dogs." That may be the biggest lesson for California, where we will soon be voting for a new governor from a crowded field — of establishment candidates. Even Kamala Harris, maybe especially Harris, fits that insider image, and certainly Gavin Newsom, despite zigzagging from centrist to pugilist, can't forward his presidential ambitions as anything but old-guard. "What makes someone like Zohran so compelling, is even if you don't agree with him on everything, which few voters do, you understand that he believes it and that you know where he's coming from," said Amanda Litman, the co-founder and executive director of Run for Something, a PAC that recruits young progressives to run for office. "I think that's the distinction between him and say someone like Gavin Newsom, which is, like, does Gavin believe what he says? Does he buy his own bull—? It's sort of unclear," Litman added. The anger of voters is strikingly clear, though, especially for ones who have for so long been loyal to Democrats. A new Pew analysis out this week found that about 20% of the Republican base is now nonwhite, nearly doubling what it was in 2016. Republicans have made gains with Black voters, Asian voters and Trump drew nearly half of Latino voters. Ouch. "One of the real challenges for the Democrats is two central pieces of the orthodoxy has been that they are the party of the working class and that they are the party of nonwhite voters," Madrid said. "Both of those are increasingly proving untrue, and the question then becomes, well, how do you get them back? The way you get them back is by having some sort of economic populist policy framework." Read more: Chabria: The secret police are everywhere. Do they really need the masks? Litman said that the way to capture voters is by running new candidates, the kind who don't come with history — and baggage. In the 36 hours after Mamdani was elected, her organization had 1,100 people sign up to learn more about how to run for office themselves, she said. It's the biggest spike since the inauguration, and it shows that voters aren't disinterested in democracy, but alienated from the existing options. "The establishment is not unbeatable. They're only unchallenged," Litman said. "And I think the more that the Democratic Party establishment, as much as it exists, can understand that the people and the playbooks that got us here will not be the people and playbooks that get us out of it, the better off we'll be." So maybe there are more Mamdani's out there, waiting to lead the way. If Democrats are looking for advice, Trump may have offered the best I've seen in a while — highlighting the insider/outsider Democrats who have, like Mamdani, made their name by rattling the establishment. "I have an idea for the Democrats to bring them back into 'play,'" he wrote on social media. "After years of being left out in the cold, including suffering one of the Greatest Losses in History, the 2024 Presidential Election, the Democrats should nominate Low IQ Candidate, Jasmine Crockett, for President, and AOC+3 should be, respectively, Vice President, and three High Level Members of the Cabinet — Added together with our future Communist Mayor of New York City, Zohran Mamdani and our Country is really SCREWED!" Or not. Wouldn't that be a slate? Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
