The HQ Beat Vol. 1 No. 29

Molweni from the HQ Squad!

This year, we've experienced a lot of change and upheaval; we have  grappled with loss and made adjustments to accommodate the new status quo. This year has also shown us how resilient we are, how inevitably we push up and adapt, how we have a renewed gratitude for our communities and an appreciation for 'the small things'.

As the year draws to a close, we have selected some of our favourite stories of 2021 (it wasn't an easy pick!) as a reminder of the year that has been and inspiration for the year that is coming. Take care, enjoy yourself and stay safe!

We move.

Award-winning musician, actor and writer Nakhane, found solace in the small things when his emotions seemed too big too surmount. He wrote about the simple, mindful art of lists.

Make A List

Award winning musician, actor and writer Nakhane, on surviving anxiety and depression, even when they were tempted to give in under lockdown.

COVID HQ AfricaCOVIDHQ Editorial Squad

Davis Dife Lichuma is passionate about healthcare and the environment. In this piece on HQ, we learned how the multi-faceted activist mobilises his community in Mathare.

Dife-ing the Odds

Davis Lichuma, born and bred in Mathare, Nairobi. He is popularly known as Dife. He is a presenter at Mathare radio and also a community organizer and mobilizer.

COVID HQ AfricaCOVIDHQ Editorial Squad

New York-based perfromance artist Lollise Mbi found her creative voice well into her adulthood, and writes about her shifting relationship with prayer, creativity, and her mother in this intimate self-portrait.

I Am Not Dead Yet

Lollise Mbi, a Motswana based in New York, shares an intimate self-portrait, writing about her shifting relationship with prayer, creativity, and her mother.

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When centuries-old traditional music fuses with contemporary beats, you get the Sounds of Sassab. In this podcast, HQ's Zaqi Alibhai speaks to the musicians behind the amazing project about what inspired them, and what they're hoping to do next.

The Sounds of Sasaab

Three of Kenya’s most talented musical minds have come together to create a one-of-a-kind project which aims to work with different communities around the country to fuse centuries-old traditional music with contemporary beats.

COVID HQ AfricaZaqi Alibhai

We're really proud of our #AmplifyHQ fellows, who have come to the end of their 8-week, intensive storytelling and content creation sessions. They have had access to some of the most amazing minds on the continent and in the diaspora, and unearthed some great stories from around Africa.  

In this piece, #AmplifyHQ fellow Nasra Bwana shares the story of 90-year-old Inyamwenye Omar. Living on one of the islands in Kenya's Lamu archipelago, Inyamwenye speaks with Nasra about the passion she has for her village's decades-old coffee tradition, as well as the effects Covid-19 has had on her.

Beat Pic of the Week

Beat Pic of the Week

Beat Pic of the Week

Beat Pic of the Week