On 23 November 2005 Liberia's National Electoral Commission declared Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf winner of November's presidential election, having concluded its investigation into claims of alleged election fraud filed by her rival, the international soccer star George Weah. Johnson-Sirleaf received nearly 60 per cent of the votes.

• Find out why Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf in known as Liberia's 'Iron Lady'.

It is well known that one of the fundamental differences between the experiences of Whites and Blacks in Apartheid era South Africa was education. Whilst the battle against education in Afrikaans was eventually won, the Apartheid government's 'Bantu' education policy meant that Black children did not receive the same opportunities as White children. Find out more about the opposing views in Apartheid South Africa from this selection of quotes about Bantu Education.

More on Bantu Education
• School Enrollment in Apartheid South Africa
• South African Students' Organisation
• June 16th Student Uprising

According to the United Nations Population Fund continental Africa's population has passed the one billion level. Uganda and Nigeria are highlighted as regions of highest growth.

Passing this milestone means that Africa's population doubled in only 27 years. Thoraya Obeid, UNPF's Executive Director, talking to journalists at the BBC, suggested the reason for the massive increase is because "there is large number of women who have no access to planning their families".

The population boom has also led to children and young adults representing a much higher proportion of the population than in the developed nations, with associated economic and social problems.

For more see: Africa population tops a billion on the BBC Online.

Episode 35 of Africa Past and Present -- Michigan State University's podcast about African history,culture, and politics is now available.

Peter Alegi and Peter Limb present a report by Dr. Wendi Manuel-Scott and Dr. Benedict Carton (George Mason University) on the recent 'African Identities in the Age of Obama' conference. Bridging the gap between African Studies, African-American Studies, and Caribbean Studies, the conference participants grappled with complex issues, including who and what does Obama represent? How do cultural aspects of the Obama phenomenon intersect with political and economic aspects? What does Obama mean to people in Africa?

Note: The sound quality improves after initial technical problems.