Raissa's Blog - Best of Sports, Culture, and Entertainment

How much do you know about Tanzania? If not much, you'll be amazed by these facts. 1. The most expensive wood in the world comes from the African Blackwood, called "mpingo" in Swahili. The African Blackwood tree grows in Tanzania. It is dubbed "the music tree" as it is the primary material used in making woodwind musical instruments such as clarinets. The tree takes 75 to 100 years to grow to a harvestable size. A kilogram of unprocessed African Blackwood costs about $10,000. "Mpingo" is also used in making elegant furniture. 2. Tanzania, South Africa and Zambia share the same national anthem. In Tanzania, it is titled " Mungu Ibariki Africa" or "God Bless Africa". In South Africa the anthem goes by the name " Nkosi Sikelel' iAfrika" . The song was composed by Enoch Mankayi Sontoga. 3. Tanzania has the largest concentration of wild animals per square kilometer in the world, with more than 4 milli...

Ramon Besa of  El Pais  recently reported that there is a clause in Lionel Messi's contract with Barcelona - which runs until 2021 - that says he is free to walk away from Barcelona at the end of any given season. This information has been confirmed by Goal.com. Carles Puyol, Xavi and Andres Iniesta all had similar clauses in their contracts during their final years at the club. World Cup-winning defender Gerard Pique revealed he was aware of the clause but doesn't think Messi would be leaving Barcelona anytime soon. He told  Cadena Ser , "I already knew Messi is able to leave for free at the end of each season.  “But we all know the commitment Leo has to Barca and it doesn't worry me at all. He's earned the right to be able to choose what he does with his future after everything he's given the club.” 32-year-old Messi made his senior Barcelona debut at the age of 17, in 2004. Since then, he has won 10 La Liga titles and four UEFA Champions Leagu...

In the last three days, football friendlies with South Africa have been called off by two countries. Zambia were due to host South Africa in Lusaka on Saturday, but pulled out of the match on Tuesday in protest, citing "prevailing security concerns" following the violent attacks on foreign-owned shops in Johannesburg and Pretoria. Madagascar were lined up to replace Zambia, with the fixture to be staged in Johannesburg, but Madagascar has pulled out of playing the game, citing security reasons as well.  In a statement, the Malagasy Football Federation said, "... after having agreed with Malagasy national institutions in particular regarding the security of the delegation of Madagascar and Malagasy nationals in South Africa, it was found necessary and judicious to decline the invitation." South Africa's Football Federation, SAFA, tweeted earlier, "SAFA regrets to inform the public that the match between Bafana Bafana and Madagascar scheduled for thi...

Avicii's tragic passing in 2018 threw more light on the need for mental health awareness inside and outside the EDM scene, with the entire music community discussing the importance of artists remaining in good mental health. After Avicii's demise, DJs like Hardwell and Carnage decided to take a break from music in order to improve their mental health. In that light, a benefit concert for mental health awareness and suicide prevention has been announced for December 5th in honor of late Swedish Producer/DJ Avicii, born Tim Bergling. The concert will hold at Avicii's hometown of Stockholm in Sweden. Avicii's family and friends made the announcement just a few days ago. The tickets went on sale today and sold out within hours - 55,000 tickets according to reports. In a statement, Avicii's father, Klas Bergling, declared,  “ Tim had plans for his music to be performed together with a large live band, and now we are realizing his dream and giving fans a chance...

Founding father of Zimbabwe, Robert Mugabe, has died, according to his successor President Emmerson Mnangagwa. The former president ruled the country with an iron fist for more than 30 years. The ex-president had been in poor health for a considerable length of time, and had been receiving treatment in a hospital in Singapore since April. His successor, Emerson  Mnangagwa , tweeted on Friday,  "It is with the utmost sadness that I announce the passing on of Zimbabwe's founding father and former President, Cde Robert Mugabe. "Cde Mugabe was an icon of liberation, a pan-Africanist who dedicated his life to the emancipation and empowerment of his people. His contribution to the history of our nation and continent will never be forgotten. May his soul rest in eternal peace." Mr. Mugabe who infamously claimed that "only God" could ever remove him from office was ousted in a military coup in 2017 after 37 years in power. Members of his own party turn...

South Africa's Foreign ministry has announced the closing of its diplomatic missions in the Nigerian cities of Abuja and Lagos in Nigeria following reprisal attacks by Nigerians stirred up by xenophobic violence in South Africa. "After receiving reports and threats from some of the Nigerians we decided to temporarily close while we are assessing the situation," foreign ministry spokesman Lunga Ngqengelele said, adding the missions were closed on Wednesday. "So we will be monitoring the situation and when see it necessary to open, we will re-open," he added. He revealed they decided to suspend diplomatic operations in Nigeria after "a group of people... came and tried force themselves in" at the Lagos consulate. "It was on those basis that we felt we need to protect the employees and shut it down". Deadly attacks on foreign-owned stores in South Africa's commercial hub Johannesburg, between Sunday and Wednesday prompted re...