New Africa Book of the Day - 8 July 2014

Continuity and Change in Sub-Saharan African Demography, edited by Clifford O. Odimegwu and John Kekovole

Release Date: July 8, 2014
Publisher: Routledge African Studies

This book offers an in-depth African perspective to the major issues in demographic discourse in sub-Saharan Africa. It provides comprehensive analysis of sub-Saharan African censuses, profiling demographic changes, trends, patterns and consequences in the region. Interdisciplinary, comprehensive, accessible, simple and topical, this volume is perfectly suited to researchers, students and lecturers who are interested in understanding sub-Saharan African population dynamics and issues.

Clifford O. Odimegwu is the head of Demography and Population Studies Programme at the University of the Witwatersrand and John Kekovole is executive manager in charge of Census Inputs and Outputs at Statistics South Africa. Together they have edited Social Demography of South Africa: Advances and Emerging Issues (2014) while Kekovole is author of Components of Kenya's future population growth and population policy implications (1996).  Odimegwu also wrote a research report entitled An appraisal of the national population policy for development (1998).

New Africa Book of the Day - 20 June 2014

In the Name of the People: Angola's Forgotten Massacre, by Lara Pawson

Release Date: June 25, 2014
Publisher: I.B. Tauris

On 27th May 1977, a small demonstration against the MPLA, the ruling party of Angola – led to the slaughter of thousands, if not tens of thousands, of people. The protestors were supporters of the MPLA, however the ruling elite feared this new 'factionalism' might lead to a coup d'état. The events of May 1977 are little talked of in Angola today – and virtually unknown outside the country.

In this book, journalist Lara Pawson tracks down the story of what really happened on that fateful day. In a series of vivid encounters, she talks to eyewitnesses, victims and even perpetrators of the violent and confusing events of the 27th May and the following weeks and months. From London to Lisbon to Luanda, she meets those who continue to live in the shadow of the appalling events of 40 years ago and who – in most cases – have been too afraid to speak about them before. Pawson investigates not only the unwritten story of the 27th May - one of the biggest taboos in Angolan contemporary history – but she also challenges long-held assumptions about political opposition in Angola, as well as the MPLA, Cuba and the former President Agostinho Neto.

Despite Angola's enormous oil wealth, poverty and racial division remain live problems for most of its people. This book contributes to a deeper understanding of modern Angola – its people and its politics; past, present and future.

Journalist Lara Pawson writes for The Guardian and has been a Writing Fellow at the Wits Institute of Social & Economic Research, at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. She is also on Twitter.