The CHALE WOTE Street Art Festival in Accra, Ghana, celebrated its seventh edition in August, drawing over 30,000 attendees. Founded by Mantse Aryeequaye and Sionne Neely of AccraDotAlt, the festival aims to combat artistic complacency and bring art to the public. This year's theme, 'Wata Mata', concluded a trilogy exploring liberation and creativity for African artists. AccraDotAlt secured access to historical forts for art exhibitions, emphasizing the transformation and transcendence of African heritage. Despite facing criticism from religious fundamentalists and issues of plagiarism and unauthorized recording, the festival was a success, showcasing the potential for Pan-African collaboration and cultural preservation.

Lesotho is experiencing an artistic renaissance driven by its millennial generation, particularly in visual arts. Historically, the arts in Lesotho have been static, but exposure to technology and global trends has inspired young Basotho to pursue creative projects. Despite a lingering stigma around the arts, the government is prioritizing creative enterprises for economic and social development. The history of visual art in Lesotho includes European missionaries and local artists like François Maeder and Paul Ncheke. Contemporary photographers are motivated to counter negative stereotypes and showcase Lesotho's beauty. The rise of digital photography has shifted public perception, though challenges remain, including exploitation and lack of infrastructure. A sense of community among local photographers fosters creativity and truthful representation of life in Lesotho. There is a call for comprehensive arts education to support and formalize the growth of visual arts in the country.