What was supposed to be a fun group trip quickly became something no one had planned for.
As Joseph Nguthiru and his group set out across Lake Naivasha in Kenya, their boat slowed to a halt, trapped in thick mats of water hyacinth that had covered the water’s surface. The invasive plant had spread rapidly across the lake’s surface, disrupting boat movement, threatening fish populations, and putting local livelihoods at risk.
Water hyacinth is one of the world’s fastest-growing aquatic plants. When left unchecked, it blocks sunlight, reduces oxygen...
Blossom Osakpolor
When most people think of Africa, snow isn’t the first thing that comes to mind.
And yet, at the 2026 Winter Olympics, 14 African athletes will be competing across the slopes, ice, and more — representing countries from South Africa to Eritrea, Madagascar to Benin.
For a continent where snow is genuinely rare, that presence is extraordinary. And it tells a bigger story about opportunity, ambition, and how Africa shows up on the global stage.
Here are the African athletes who are representing their countries at the 2026 Winter Olympics:
South...