In an attempt to take stock of African affairs this collection of essays addresses the most critical themes and pressing issues facing the continent at the outset of the new century. The perspective is broad, the approach generally interdisciplinary and the subjects wide-ranging and controversial. The work is broadly structured into three sections: socio-cultural transformation; governance and democratisation; and the global dimension. With the focus firmly on the future, amongst questions raised are post-industrialism and knowledge production; the recreation of Africa through language; the economic and cultural impact of AIDS; prospects for conflict resolution; Africa's place in the world dialogue in the new century; and the potential role of the mass media.