There is a painting in Peterson Kamwathi’s current exhibition at the Nairobi Contemporary Art Institute that does something unusual for African art shown to Western audiences this year. It refuses to explain itself.
In 2010, the world’s attention turned to South Africa when the FIFA World Cup was staged on the African continent for the first time. Africa rose to the occasion and helped deliver one of the most memorable World Cup anthems in history with “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa),” performed by Colombian singer Shakira and featuring the South African band Freshlyground. The song united fans from across the world while celebrating Africa’s first World Cup.
Here are some memory-creating events to look back on when you hit the century mark.
Every four years, the world stops for a month of football. At the 2026 World Cup, Africa arrived in force, with a record 10 nations playing across North American stadiums, a sign of the continent’s rising power and growing depth. While a historic contingent of African nations made it to the tournament, a familiar conversation is bubbling up: why are some of Africa’s brightest lights shining for nations that weren’t the birthplace of their ancestors?
The impact of African countries adopting visa-free policies includes a boost to tourism and international relations on the continent. Not only that but it stretches as far as having positive effects on the economies of these countries too.
The wit William Shakespeare said, “joy’s soul lies in the doing.” So, listen to the enduring wisdom of The Bard. Go on, be happy; go out and enjoy July! Here are some low-cost or free entertaining neighborhood options to help you.
If you have spent any time on TikTok, Instagram, X, or in Black communities across London, Toronto, New York, Atlanta, Philadelphia, Kingston, or Lagos, chances are you are conversant with certain African slangs. The fascinating part is that you and many others use them without knowing exactly where they came from.
July 2026 is not a month for sentimentality. It is a month for judgment. The Phillies’ published calendar opens with two home games against Pittsburgh, then turns into a road trip through Kansas City, Cincinnati, and Detroit before the All-Star break, and after that, it moves straight into a second-half stretch against the Mets, Dodgers, Yankees, Marlins, and Orioles.
If someone had told you a month ago that Argentina, the defending world champions, led by Lionel Messi and packed with some of the finest footballers on the planet, would need extra time to knock out Cape Verde, you probably would have smiled politely and changed the subject.
When most people think of America’s Fourth of July celebrations, they picture fireworks, flags, and patriotic songs. But in 2026, Philadelphia, the birthplace of American democracy, is telling a broader, more inclusive story.
