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Kuwait Times
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Kuwait Times
Online or on stage, C.African comics try to break through
Under a mango tree in a residential area of Bangui, the filming of "Problem Booth" is under way, a series of skits imagined by Lemuel Luther-King Godonam and a few fellow comedians. Filming, then uploading the videos to build a following is an uphill struggle in the Central African Republic, a war-scarred country that is one of the world's poorest and where internet penetration is just 15.5 percent. But Godonam, a 19-year-old high school student, is undeterred. As "Luther LG" he leads the troupe, playing the harassed owner of a shop dealing with problem customers and the girl selling peanuts next door. He just wants to make a name for himself. "It's a new thing for us," he said, explaining the lack of scripts and dialogue, and the use of a simple sign as scenery. "You can count comedians here on the fingers of one hand," he added. 'People need this' A few curious locals stopped to see how it was all done. "I thought they just did this on the phone but there's real effort behind it," said 21-year-old student Kharl Malibangar, marveling at the booms, mics and cameras. "I want to encourage them, like their channels, subscribe and give them likes," he added. "Humor helps a lot of people. We've been through war and people need this to escape and relax." Actress Manuella Koula, known as Poutine, talks into a microphone ahead of the filming of a comedy sketch on the outskirts of Bangui. Director Luther Lemuel Godonam (center) poses for a photograph with the rest of the team after filming a comedy sketch on the outskirts of Bangui. Gervais Symphorien Kpignonin (center), a member of the Bangui Parrots, performs during their comedy sketch at the Missy Momo cultural center as part of an event marking the beginning of the cultural season in Bangui. The Bangui Parrots perform a comedy sketch at the Missy Momo cultural center during an event marking the beginning of the cultural season in Bangui. Godonam said he wants to take comedy from the CAR "to another level" and win fame outside the country. That is why the young performers, aged between 19 and 24, speak in French rather than Sango, one of the country's official languages. "It's not just Central Africans who follow me," said Godonam, who dreams of being as popular as Cameroonians, Ivorians or Beninese on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram. "Foreigners also need to understand what's being said, so I have to do it in French." Posting the videos online however is a challenge. "There isn't good internet connection here, which stops me from posting on certain networks," said one of the other comedians, Jessie Pavelle. "It stops me from getting noticed." Sometimes, the 2,000 CFA francs ($3.40) that 19-year-old Pavelle puts on her phone as credit is used up even before her video is online. Such problems mean they cannot rely on an online presence alone. Professionalize But the Central African capital is sorely lacking in the kind of comedy venues or events that Ivory Coast, a launchpad for comedians, enjoys. Niger's Mamane, whose "very, very democratic Republic of Gondwana" mocks dictatorial tendencies in Africa, has run the "Abidjan: capital of laughter" festival for the last 10 years. Ivory Coast's economic capital also boasts filming locations, where production companies create comedy shows, bars where stand-up nights are held regularly -- and even, in recent years, comedy schools. "Ivory Coast is the country of comedy," Mamane told AFP as he recorded his "Parliament of Laughter" show, broadcast on French channel Canal+. "You've just got to arrive at the airport in Abidjan and get off the plane... the Ivorian sense of humor is everywhere, it's become legendary and spread across west Africa and all of central Africa." Mamane said he could have spent his career in France. But he wanted to come back to help develop professional comedy in Africa. Next generation The Central African Republic is not quite there yet, said Gervais Symphorien Kpignon, from the famous Bangui Parrots troupe. Comedy spots are often limited to official political ceremonies or events organized by NGOs where the aim is to "raise awareness, sensitize and educate the population" through humor, he said. That's a far cry from the new wave, which is focused on more lightweight topics such as romantic relationships. To bridge a gap and ensure the future of Central African comedy, Yvon Cyrille Gone -- also known as Dr Mandjeke -- created the "Bangui Laughs" festival seven years ago. He also trains a new generation of young Central African comedians. "The young people who are coming up are good but they don't have enough experience so I decided to give them a hand," he said. That night, he added Jessie Pavelle's name at the last minute to perform alongside more experienced comedians. It was only her second time in front of an audience. The white plastic chairs at the Missy-Momo cultural space in Bangui were all taken and the audience burst out laughing when she joked about big guys being generous and skinny ones being stingy. "I really want to become the best-known Central African comedian in the world," she said after finishing her set. - AFP
eNCA
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- eNCA
Online or on stage, Central African comics try to break through
BANGUI - Under a mango tree in a residential area of Bangui, the filming of "Problem Booth" is under way, a series of skits imagined by Lemuel Luther-King Godonam and a few fellow comedians. Filming, then uploading the videos to build a following is an uphill struggle in the Central African Republic, a war-scarred country that is one of the world's poorest and where internet penetration is just 15.5 percent. But Godonam, a 19-year-old high school student, is undeterred. As "Luther LG" he leads the troupe, playing the harassed owner of a shop dealing with problem customers and the girl selling peanuts next door. He just wants to make a name for himself. "It's a new thing for us," he said, explaining the lack of scripts and dialogue, and the use of a simple sign as scenery. "You can count comedians here on the fingers of one hand," he added. AFP | PATRICK MEINHARDT "Godonam said he wants to take comedy from the CAR "to another level" and win fame outside the country. That is why the young performers, aged between 19 and 24, speak in French rather than Sango, one of the country's official languages. "It's not just Central Africans who follow me," said Godonam, who dreams of being as popular as Cameroonians, Ivorians or Beninese on YouTube, TikTok or Instagram. "Foreigners also need to understand what's being said, so I have to do it in French." Posting the videos online however is a challenge. "There isn't good internet connection here, which stops me from posting on certain networks," said one of the other comedians, Jessie Pavelle. "It stops me from getting noticed." Sometimes, the 2,000 CFA francs ($3.40) that 19-year-old Pavelle puts on her phone as credit is used up even before her video is online. Such problems mean they cannot rely on an online presence alone. But the Central African capital is sorely lacking in the kind of comedy venues or events that Ivory Coast, a launchpad for comedians, enjoys. AFP | Issouf SANOGO Niger's Mamane, whose "very, very democratic Republic of Gondwana" mocks dictatorial tendencies in Africa, has run the "Abidjan: capital of laughter" festival for the last 10 years. Ivory Coast's economic capital also boasts filming locations, where production companies create comedy shows, bars where stand-up nights are held regularly -- and even, in recent years, comedy schools. "Ivory Coast is the country of comedy," Mamane told AFP as he recorded his "Parliament of Laughter" show, broadcast on French channel Canal+. "You've just got to arrive at the airport in Abidjan and get off the plane... the Ivorian sense of humour is everywhere, it's become legendary and spread across west Africa and all of central Africa." Mamane said he could have spent his career in France. But he wanted to come back to help develop professional comedy in Africa.
Yahoo
08-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Fortuna Mining Full Year 2024 Earnings: EPS: US$0.42 (vs US$0.17 loss in FY 2023)
Revenue: US$1.06b (up 26% from FY 2023). Net income: US$128.7m (up from US$50.8m loss in FY 2023). Profit margin: 12% (up from net loss in FY 2023). The move to profitability was driven by higher revenue. EPS: US$0.42 (up from US$0.17 loss in FY 2023). Gold Production: 369.64 troy koz (326.64 troy koz in FY 2023) Number of mines: 5 (5 in FY 2023) Zinc Production: 23,544 t (24,975 t in FY 2023) Number of mines: 1 (1 in FY 2023) Silver Production: 3,724.9 troy koz (5,883.7 troy koz in FY 2023) Number of mines: 2 (2 in FY 2023) All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period The primary driver behind last 12 months revenue was the Sango segment contributing a total revenue of US$330.4m (31% of total revenue). Notably, cost of sales worth US$718.4m amounted to 68% of total revenue thereby underscoring the impact on earnings. The most substantial expense, totaling US$107.5m were related to Non-Operating costs. This indicates that a significant portion of the company's costs is related to non-core activities. Explore how FVI's revenue and expenses shape its earnings. Looking ahead, revenue is expected to decline by 12% p.a. on average during the next 3 years, while revenues in the Metals and Mining industry in Canada are expected to grow by 15%. Performance of the Canadian Metals and Mining industry. The company's shares are up 13% from a week ago. While earnings are important, another area to consider is the balance sheet. See our latest analysis on Fortuna Mining's balance sheet health. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
11-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
CAR leader launches meme-coin 'experiment'
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has launched a meme-coin in a bid to raise the profile of the country, which is one of the world's poorest. Meme-coins are used to build popularity for a viral internet trend or movement and fans are inspired to collect and give them value, but they are extremely volatile investments. Touadéra announced the launch, known as $CAR, on his X account over the weekend and on Monday said it had been a "success". But the value of the coin had a significant price drop of up to 90%, according to specialist websites. In 2022, CAR became the world's second country after El Salvador to adopt the cryptocurrency Bitcoin as legal tender. Why the Central African Republic adopted Bitcoin That initiative - launched under the name Sango - does not appear to have been as successful as planned, and its website no longer works. It was seen as an easier way to attract investors to the country's mining and other industries using Bitcoin. The country has rich mineral deposits, including gold and diamonds. Foreign investors could also obtain citizenship for $60,000 worth of crypto, although the plan was later ruled unconstitutional by the country's top court. Touadéra described this week's launch of the meme-coin as an "experiment" of something that "can unite people, support national development, and put the [country] on the world stage in a unique way". But some expressed fears that it could have been a scam. On Monday, Touadéra thanked those who believed in his vision. He shared a video of a high school which he said had been deteriorating rapidly, saying the meme-coin would help support its "rebuilding and furnishing" and give "students a chance for a better future". Despite its potential, CAR remains one of the poorest countries - a situation complicated by a civil war which has devastated much of the country. Meme-coins have often been criticised for their speculative nature, where users create or buy them in the hope that their value will rise and make money quickly - but many end up losing money on them. Just before his inauguration last month, US President Donald Trump launched his own meme-coin whose value quickly soared, and which reportedly raised billions of dollars for him. The New York Times has reported that it is now worth a quarter of its highest value. 'A mockery': Trump's new meme-coin sparks anger in crypto world Watch: Russia and Wagner's growing influence in the Central African Republic El Savador accepts Bitcoin as legal tender What is Bitcoin? Go to for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Africa Daily Focus on Africa
BBC News
11-02-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Cryptocurrency: Central African Republic leader launches meme-coin 'experiment'
Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra has launched a meme-coin in a bid to raise the profile of the country, which is one of the world's are used to build popularity for a viral internet trend or movement and fans are inspired to collect and give them value, but they are extremely volatile announced the launch, known as $CAR, on his X account over the weekend and on Monday said it had been a "success". But the value of the coin had a significant price drop of up to 90%, according to specialist websites. In 2022, CAR became the world's second country after El Salvador to adopt the cryptocurrency Bitcoin as legal tender. Why the Central African Republic adopted BitcoinThat initiative - launched under the name Sango - does not appear to have been as successful as planned, and its website no longer was seen as an easier way to attract investors to the country's mining and other industries using Bitcoin. The country has rich mineral deposits, including gold and investors could also obtain citizenship for $60,000 worth of crypto, although the plan was later ruled unconstitutional by the country's top described this week's launch of the meme-coin as an "experiment" of something that "can unite people, support national development, and put the [country] on the world stage in a unique way".But some expressed fears that it could have been a Monday, Touadéra thanked those who believed in his shared a video of a high school which he said had been deteriorating rapidly, saying the meme-coin would help support its "rebuilding and furnishing" and give "students a chance for a better future".Despite its potential, CAR remains one of the poorest countries - a situation complicated by a civil war which has devastated much of the have often been criticised for their speculative nature, where users create or buy them in the hope that their value will rise and make money quickly - but many end up losing money on before his inauguration last month, US President Donald Trump launched his own meme-coin whose value quickly soared, and which reportedly raised billions of dollars for him. The New York Times has reported that it is now worth a quarter of its highest value. You may also be interested in: 'A mockery': Trump's new meme-coin sparks anger in crypto worldWatch: Russia and Wagner's growing influence in the Central African RepublicEl Savador accepts Bitcoin as legal tenderWhat is Bitcoin? Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
