Culture
The culture in Mauritius is characterized by
the different peoples from Africa, India, China, France
and the rest of Europe who have settled on the islands.
When it comes to traditional music, the style of
music, which blends African music with polka, has had a
strong impact in all folk groups. In its modern form, it
has also taken the impression of music styles such as
soukous, zouk and reggae. A variant of victory, maloya,
is found on the smaller island of Rodrigues.
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Countryaah:
Latest population statistics of Mauritius, including religious profiles and major languages spoken as well as population growth rates in next three decades.
The literature is usually written in French. Top
writers include Malcolm de Chazal, Edouard Joseph Marc
Maunick, Raymond Chasle and Khal Torabully. However, the
leading playwright Dev Virahsawmy writes on the morisy.
In Port Louis there is a theater that was founded as
early as 1822 and is today used mainly by various
amateur theater groups. A more lively scene is in Rose
Hill.
 Mass Media
Mauritanian press has 200 years of history
and is considered to be both versatile and outspoken.
Freedom of the press and expression is guaranteed in the
Constitution. However, it has appeared that police
officers have threatened media workers and that
politicians and government officials have used laws of
defamation against journalists who have written
disgraceful things to them.
There are about ten newspapers in Mauritius and
newspaper reading is relatively widespread. The largest
daily newspapers are the independent, French-speaking
L'Express, Le Mauricien and Le Quotidien. All three also
publish materials in English. A few Chinese newspapers
are also published in the country. In addition, a large
number of weekly newspapers and magazines are published.
The state television and radio company Mauritius
Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) was founded in 1964 and
broadcasts in several languages in a number of
channels. The MBC is supposed to be independent of the
state powers but is sometimes accused by media experts
and oppositionists for being government friendly.
Domestic privately owned TVs do not exist, but foreign
channels can be viewed via cable. Since the state gave
up its radio monopoly in 2002, several privately owned
radio stations have been started.
In 2013, the number of Internet users was 39 per 100
residents.
FACTS - MASS MEDIA
Percentage of the population using the
internet
59 percent (2018)
Number of mobile subscriptions per 100
residents
151 (2018)
2015
June
New Free Trade Agreement for Africa
Mauritius and 25 other countries agree on a new free trade agreement, the
Tripartite Free Trade Area, which covers most of Africa between
Egypt in the north and South Africa in the south. However, before the agreement
can come into force, negotiations are required and the agreement is approved by
the parliaments of the countries.
New President assumes office
Ameenah Gurib-Fakim, a prominent scientist in biology, is taking over as new
president. She is the government candidate, but is also supported by the
opposition and has a unanimous parliament behind her. Gurib-Fakim becomes
Mauritius first woman in the presidential post. At the same time, the country
also gets its first female president, Maya Hanoomanjee.
May
President Change
President Rajkeswur Purryag resigns.
July
Pravind Jugnauth is dropped for corporate business
July 2
Pravind Jugnauth resigns as Minister of Technology, due to a conflict of
interest. In 2010, it was Jugnauth who in 2010 signed the decision that the
state would acquire the private company MedPoint owned by his brother-in-law.
Pravind Jugnauth denies that he has made any mistakes. He is sentenced to 12
months in prison (which can be exchanged for community service), and remains the
leader of the MSM.
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