Africa

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  BBC World News: Africa

• Dangerous seas

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:23 pm

  Can EU's taskforce defeat pirates off Somalia coast?

• In pictures

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:16 pm

  From football flips to goat migrations in Africa's week

• Yacht pair plead for ransom talks

  20 Nov 2009 | 11:41 am

  A British couple kidnapped by Somali pirates say via video footage that they fear they may be killed within a week.

• Sani Abacha son 'must pay $350m'

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:03 am

  A Swiss court orders the seizure of $350m in assets from the son of Nigeria's ex-ruler Sani Abacha after a 10-year investigation.

• Riot over Egypt football defeat

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:02 am

  Police are injured as Egypt fans' anger over reported violence after a World Cup game erupts in Cairo.

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  NYT: Africa

• For Bread or Soccer, Egypt Is Ready for a Riot

  By MICHAEL SLACKMAN

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:55 pm

  History has proven there are two subjects that will move Egyptians into the streets in riotous numbers, crashing windows, battling each other and defying an army of club-wielding riot police.

• China Helps the Powerful in Namibia

  By SHARON LaFRANIERE

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:01 am

  Secret scholarships to study in China that were awarded to the offspring of top officials in Namibia have angered the public there.

• Pirates Widen Range, Straining Naval Patrols

  By MATTHEW SALTMARSH

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:06 pm

  The European Union, the United States and other allies have extended their mission as the attacks have increased and spread out.

• South Africa Says Gender Controversy Is Over

  By ROBERT MACKEY

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:46 am

  The South African government has attempted to end the controversy over the gender of Caster Semenya, the runner who was crowned the women's 800-meter world champion in August, by declaring that an agreement had been reached to not release the results of gender tests.

• Is There Such a Thing as Agro-Imperialism?

  By ANDREW RICE

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:02 am

  Fearing food shortages, investors from wealthy countries are snapping up land in poor countries to grow food there. Is this development or exploitation?

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  AfricaNews - RSS News

• Africa must prioritize on education - UNESCO

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

  The Director of UNESCO's Regional Office for Education in Africa (BREDA), Ann Therese Ndong Jatta, called for a dialogue on matters relating to early childhood development has called African governments to review their expenditure patterns to ensuring that they are directed on areas of priority. The BREDA director who was speaking at a press conference…

• South Africa: Floods to hit Johannesburg

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:46 am

  The Johannesburg Emergency Services has warned that there is a strong possibility of floods following the rainy week. A hotline has therefor been set for cases that would require emergency attention. Areas at risk were those around the Klipriver system in Soweto, areas between the West Rand's river system and the northern suburbs, including Dainfern,…

• EU supports Nigeria to fight corruption

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:43 am

  Nigeria signed a 677 million euro pact with the European Union on Thursday aimed at combating corruption and promoting peace in its troubled, oil-producing Niger Delta region. The agreement will help the oil exporter to tackle challenges in the areas of governance, trade and peace for the 2009-2013 period, the European Commission said in a statement,…

• Pirates release a Panamanian-flagged ship

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:18 am

  Somali pirates have released a Panamanian-flagged ship with 18 crew members after talks with Somali businessmen in the war-torn country's capital, one of the businessmen said on Thursday. Ali Dheere, the chairman of Mogadishu's general merchanside traders, told Reuters that the negotiations Wednesday ended night, while the ship was released…

• Libya: Lockerbie bomber asked back to jail

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:07 pm

  The Libyan man, Abdul Al-Megrahi, behind the 1988 bombing of a United States plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, who was released because he had less than three months to die, is still very much alive at the end of his third month of freedom but friends and families of victims want him back to jail. Al-Megrahi, 57, was set free on a compassionate ground…

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  Jamati Online

• They back, TKZee in the area…………..

  Prudence Chauke

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:45 am

   The wait is over and yes the speculations have been confirmed, TKZee is back. This five times South African Music Award winning trio has returned and for those in the dark about who TKZee is? TKZee is a legendary South African Kwaito  music group that consist of Zwai Bala, Kabelo Mabalane and Tokollo Tshabalala. This trio is one of the most important element in the South African music history. I mean you can not talk about the history of South African music without a mere mention of  TKZee. Emerged in the music industry in 1996 without much success these musical warriors stayed hard on…

• Iyadede: A musical vessel’s sacred and spiritual journey with sound!

  Prudence Chauke

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:22 am

  Join me as walk you through the journey of one of today’s most  trailblazing Rwandan born but NYC based African artist, Iyadede. A musical vessel who’s spirit you cant help but fall in love, as she shares with us her life’s journey. Jamati: Welcome under the Jamati tree and thank you for gracing us with your presents. Iyadede: It feels great under this tree and I’m glade to be your guest. Jamati: It is to my understanding that your musical journey or your journey as an artist began even way before mother earth could claim you as her own. Enlighten us? Iyadede:…

• SALIF KEITA: La diferrence

  Prudence Chauke

  16 Nov 2009 | 11:34 am

  Today’s marks the release of Salif Keita’s new studio album, ‘La  Difference, The Difference’, one of his most anticipated album . The course behind this album is to benefit a charitable foundation that raises awareness against the Albino fight. Money raised from this album will go towards the pursuit of strengthening the support system for Albino and the changes needed to be made in support to give them the same treatment like other people and ending the discrimination towards them. In a press release statement Salif Keita pledges all nation to support him in this…

• Morgan Freeman stars as Nelson Mandela in the new ‘Invictus’ movie

  Prudence Chauke

  16 Nov 2009 | 9:46 am

  Any individual who has studied South African history can positively state that Rugby has been, and still is, a very important element of the South African journey.  It has been more than century but I find it very hard for any soul to forget the major sport event that united South African people as whole thanks to the then newly elected and first black president, Nelson Mandela, and the then South African Rugby Captain, Francois Pienaar, played in the movie by Matt Damon. Inviticus ‘Invictus‘  is a Clint Eastwood movie that takes us down memory lane during the wake of…

• ‘I Sing of a Well’, the beginning of a beautiful African Trilogy

  Ameyaw Debrah

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:27 pm

   As I watched and enjoyed the new movie written, directed and co-produced by Hollywood documentary film maker, Leila Djansi, it was the element of good storytelling that made the film stand out for me the most. ‘I Sing of a Well’ is the first installment in the trilogy, ‘Legion of Slaves’ which tells the story of slave trade triggered by the director’s experience at a slave site in her village in the Volta Region of Ghana. Soraya being consoled by her younger sister Based on strong research and interactions with traditional orators and historians, ‘Legion of Slaves’ tells the…

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  Africa Business News

• Windows 7 in 10 African languages

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:37 am

  Microsoft plans to make its newly-released Windows 7 operating system available in 10 African languages - including five of South Africa's official languages - by the end of 2011. An official of Microsoft South Africa Vis Naidoo said computer technology in local languages opens up more opportunities. “UNESCO-funded research in 2006 showed…

• Algeria: Airlines order $891m planes

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:57 pm

  Two Algerian airlines have ordered 11 planes worth $891 million from U.S. plane maker Boeing at the Dubai Airshow this week, Algeria's news agency, APS, said. Air Algerie has placed an order for seven 737-800 aircrafts, while Tassili Airlines has signed a deal for four single-aisle planes, Boeing said in a statement released by APS. List price…

• Nigeria: Shell raises road safety awareness

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:47 am

  Flashes of real and artistic photographs will be used to show the importance of road safety consciousness among motorists. Drivers' Dexterity, an exhibition that is supported by Shell Development Corporation, is meant to reinforce the message of safety for road users. The exhibition will depict hazards of road travel in Nigeria; it will feature…

• Nigeria: OBJ laments poor road maintenance

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:46 am

  Poor road maintenance has been identified as one factor that slows down commerce and development of small and medium scale businesses in Nigeria. Nigeria's former President Olusegun Obasanjo said the poor state of a chunk of the federal roads in Nigeria must be addressed as a matter of urgency. “What exactly is the problem with our roads?…

• SA: Gautrain may run for 2010

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:25 am

  South Africa's most ambitious rail project, the R25.4-billion (¤2.3-billion) Gautrain rapid-rail link, may be able to offer services in time for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, according to the company responsible for the project. Earlier, the Bombela Concession Company said they are willing to accelerate the project by three weeks at a cost of R1.3-billion…

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  Africa News Society

• Africa must prioritize on education - UNESCO

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

  The Director of UNESCO's Regional Office for Education in Africa (BREDA), Ann Therese Ndong Jatta, called for a dialogue on matters relating to early childhood development has called African governments to review their expenditure patterns to ensuring that they are directed on areas of priority. The BREDA director who was speaking at a press conference…

• South Africa: Floods to hit Johannesburg

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:46 am

  The Johannesburg Emergency Services has warned that there is a strong possibility of floods following the rainy week. A hotline has therefor been set for cases that would require emergency attention. Areas at risk were those around the Klipriver system in Soweto, areas between the West Rand's river system and the northern suburbs, including Dainfern,…

• EU supports Nigeria to fight corruption

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:43 am

  Nigeria signed a 677 million euro pact with the European Union on Thursday aimed at combating corruption and promoting peace in its troubled, oil-producing Niger Delta region. The agreement will help the oil exporter to tackle challenges in the areas of governance, trade and peace for the 2009-2013 period, the European Commission said in a statement,…

• Pirates release a Panamanian-flagged ship

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:18 am

  Somali pirates have released a Panamanian-flagged ship with 18 crew members after talks with Somali businessmen in the war-torn country's capital, one of the businessmen said on Thursday. Ali Dheere, the chairman of Mogadishu's general merchanside traders, told Reuters that the negotiations Wednesday ended night, while the ship was released…

• Libya: Lockerbie bomber asked back to jail

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:07 pm

  The Libyan man, Abdul Al-Megrahi, behind the 1988 bombing of a United States plane over Lockerbie, Scotland, who was released because he had less than three months to die, is still very much alive at the end of his third month of freedom but friends and families of victims want him back to jail. Al-Megrahi, 57, was set free on a compassionate ground…

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  Africa News Weblogs

• Kenyan MP cry foul over ID card ban.

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:49 pm

  Replies: 0 Last poster: Abdilatif at 20-11-2009 23:49 Topic is Open By Abdilatif Maalim. An MP in Kenya has termed the government decision to stop issuance of ID card in North Eastern province as serious violations of the law. Orange Democratic Movement -Kenya nominate MP ,Mohamed Abid Affey said it was wrong for the government to deny?

• Guinea: Opposition rejects peace deal

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm

  Replies: 0 Last poster: KingsleyKobo at 20-11-2009 22:43 Topic is Open Guinea's opposition has rejected proposals made by the mediator, President Blaise Compaore of Burkina Faso, on the basis that the will of the masses was not taken into account, AFP reported. In a statement issued to the press in Conakry on Friday, the Forum of Active Forces,?

• Africa must prioritize on education - UNESCO

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

  Replies: 0 Last poster: Jammeh at 20-11-2009 17:21 Topic is Open The BREDA director who was speaking at a press conference in Dakar, Senegal at the end of fourth African international Conference on Early Childhood Development said Africans spend so much on irrelevant things. She revealed that they will start a political and social dialogue to avoid?

• Rights activist vows to press on with Jammeh issue

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:37 am

  Replies: 0 Last poster: Kemo at 20-11-2009 16:37 Topic is Open Despite his decision not to lead the Gambian delegation to next week?s Common Wealth Summit in Trinidad and Tobago, Yahya Jammeh still has an issue to contend with. Maja Daruwala, Director of the India-based Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), one of the organisations campaigning?

• African honey bees

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:50 am

  Replies: 0 Last poster: Mernat at 20-11-2009 15:50 Topic is Open Mernat Mafirakurewa Johannesburg - A solution to combating the feared American Foul Brood that kills young bees in their hives lies in the use of African honey bees to breed bees with resistance. A research conducted by Professor Robin Crew from the University of Pretoria the Africa?

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  Mobile Africa » News

• AIRCOM International and Nokia Siemens Networks Team Up to Plan Efficient Networks in Africa

  Editor

  12 Nov 2009 | 10:44 pm

  AfricaCom, Cape Town, 12 November 2009: – AIRCOM International, the leading independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, today announced it has been selected by Nokia Siemens Networks to provide mobile network planning consultancy, to help improve network quality for mobile operators in Nigeria and South Africa. Africa In South Africa, Nokia Siemens Networks selected AIRCOM to provide 2G network optimisation consultation services. These services included both pre- and post-analysis drive testing, capacity planning, site verification and frequency planning. AIRCOM’s…

• Zain selects AIRCOM for network rollout in Ghana

  Editor

  10 Nov 2009 | 11:18 pm

  AfricaCom, Cape Town, South Africa, 11 November 2009 – AIRCOM International, the leading independent network planning and optimisation consultancy, today announced its selection by Zain Ghana, to help design and plan Zain’s network migration from 2G to 3.5G. Zain AIRCOM has deployed a team of more than 20 consultants from offices throughout Africa to deliver a service solution for both radio and transmission network planning that supports Zain’s ambitious 3.5G network rollout targets.  Following the planning and optimisation of the network, AIRCOM will spend a year in the country…

• Announcing Mobile Premier Awards 2010

  Editor

  9 Nov 2009 | 11:11 pm

  The Mobile Premier Awards 2010 opens its competition today. Mobile Premier Awards The Mobile Premier Awards recognize the year’s best in Mobile Startup Innovation and are the largest open, global startup competition in the mobile industry. The awards are the point of reference in startup premiers during the Mobile World Congress on February 15, 2010 in Barcelona and are organized in collaboration with some of the main networks in the industry. The Mobile Premier Awards 2010 will include the following awards: MPA in Innovation – The best grassroots startup innovation chosen by their…

• Nokia releases Nokia N97 software update 2.0 & Nokia N97 mini

  Editor

  28 Oct 2009 | 5:28 am

  Espoo, Finland. – Nokia has released a new Nokia N97 software update 2.0 that adds new user experience elements and functionalities to the device. The standard version of the Nokia N97 software update 2.0 is available immediately through the PC on the Nokia Software Update website, and will be followed by a wide range of country and operator versions over the coming weeks as well as possibility to do the update over-the-air. Nokia N97 mini Also this week, Nokia N97 mini makes its big debut in stores. With its stainless steel cues, the Nokia N97 mini is designed for style-conscious…

• MTN partners with IMImobile in a major deal to bring mobile and online content to 103 million users

  Editor

  16 Oct 2009 | 2:45 am

  Millions of mobile and online content users across Africa and the Middle East will reap the benefits of a landmark tie-up between MTN and IMImobile – an India-based software and managed services provider linked to 350 content providers worldwide. MTN The two companies have teamed up in a bold move to address the growing demand for content in emerging markets. This strategic partnership will entail providing MTN’s 21 markets access to a repository of current and globally popular content through enhanced delivery platforms. Content categories will include music (with local and…

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  AfricanLoft

• Zambian Scientist Leads Drug Discovery Research

  News Desk

  19 Nov 2009 | 3:57 pm

  In the sleek laboratories of the University of Cape Town (UCT), the future of African drug discovery is being written. Professor Kelly Chibale is one of its lead authors.

• Marriage Scam?

  Misi Coker

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:32 pm

  Nigerian man, Mr. Adesanya, marries his daughter, Karimotu Adenike, so he can file for her to become a British resident. Mr. Adesanya, a home office employee who has lived in the UK for almost 30 years, went all out to ensure that he presented himself and his new “bride” as a happily married couple. He [...]

• Nigerian Political Officer Holders Highest Paid Globally

  News Desk

  18 Nov 2009 | 8:12 am

  Nigeria’s political officer holders earn the highest pay in the world, Transparency International said in its report released yesterday. Curiously, the Nigerian public servants earn the poorest pay globally, the body also revealed. The body also rated Nigeria as the 38th most corrupt nation in the world. In its 2009 Nigeria Corruption Perception Index released in Abuja during [...]

• Kenya to Circumcise 1m Men

  News Desk

  17 Nov 2009 | 8:21 am

  The Kenyan government is currently expanding medical services in order to reach its target of circumcising at least 1.1 million men in the next five years, IRIN News has reported. Around 40,000 men have already had the operation following the launch of a national campaign for voluntary medical male circumcision in November last year. Government [...]

• American Ex-legislator gets 13 years for Bribery

  News Desk

  13 Nov 2009 | 3:47 pm

  A former Louisiana congressman who famously stashed cash in his freezer was sentenced Friday to 13 years in prison for taking hundreds of thousands in bribes in exchange for using his influence to broker business deals in Africa. The sentence handed down in suburban Washington was far less than the nearly 30 years prosecutors had sought [...]

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  African Path Blogs RSS Feed

• President Kagame receives German investors

  17 Nov 2009 | 11:01 pm

  URUGWIRO VILLAGE - President Paul Kagame yesterday received a delegation of German investors who are on a fact finding mission aimed at identifying investment opportunities in the country.

• $250m Bio-fuel deal investment deal in Rwanda

  16 Nov 2009 | 12:18 am

  KIGALI - The Government of Rwanda yesterday entered a groundbreaking agreement with US-based Eco-Fuel Global and UK’s Eco Positive Ltd-which will see the two companies agree a $250m in a project to produce bio-diesel.

• President Kagame meets Blair

  15 Nov 2009 | 12:45 am

  URUGWIRO VILLAGE - President Kagame yesterday met with Tony Blair, former British Prime Minister and founder of the African Governance Initiative, a charitable organization which assists African leaders to effectively deliver their vision for their countries.

• President Paul Kagame with the visiting YPO delegation at Urugwiro Village

  14 Nov 2009 | 5:30 am

  URUGWIRO VILLAGE - The members of the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO) yesterday paid a courtesy call on President Paul Kagame and discussed  the organisation’s interests in promoting business and enterpreneurship in Rwanda.

• War Torn Burundi Sees Future In IT Outsourcing

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:06 am

  One of the world's poorest countries is following offer African nations in looking to IT offshore services and crowd-sourcing.

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  Muti

• Digital is far too succesful for this Jozi company!

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:05 pm

• Stephen Fry - Praised be the Tweet!

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pm

• Sire Press - Short Run CD Duplication

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pm

• Sire Press - Short Run CD Duplication and Screen Printing

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pm

• Bacon Air Freshener

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:06 pm

• 
  Muti

• Digital is far too succesful for this Jozi company!

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:05 pm

• Stephen Fry - Praised be the Tweet!

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:29 pm

• Sire Press - Short Run CD Duplication

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pm

• Sire Press - Short Run CD Duplication and Screen Printing

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:48 pm

• Bacon Air Freshener

  20 Nov 2009 | 12:06 pm

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  AfriGadget

• Solution for Nairobi Blackouts

  Paula Kahumbu

  8 Nov 2009 | 11:33 pm

  It’s no secret that Kenya’s rivers are running dry as a result of forest destruction and environmental degradation which has led to a season of blackouts in the capital city Nairobi. Typical of the ingenious people of Nairobi one street vendor has cashed in on the crisis with this wonderful gadget which he markets as “Perfect for Nairobi black out” As you can see I could actually read by the light of this lamp which is made from a used tin can, some pieces of wire to make the connections And the battery compartment is ingeniously crafted from a circle cut from a…

• Win a Copy of William Kamkwamba’s Book!

  Erik Hersman

  14 Oct 2009 | 1:56 pm

  If you’ve been reading AfriGadget for a while, you know of a name that keeps popping up over and over – William Kamkwamba. He was first written about by another blogger friend Mike McKay and then subsequently covered here on AfriGadget a good 3 years ago. His windmills and the story behind it are an inspiration for many. There is now a book, a documentary and a foundation all set up around the inspired story of windmills from Malawi. Win a copy of “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind” As luck would have it, I have 2 extra copies of William’s new book. I’d like…

• RoboCon Kenya 2009 Nairobi Regional

  Obie

  3 Oct 2009 | 1:21 am

  First Peaks The Ministry of Higher Education and Technology has organized a Robot Contest (RoboCon), between Kenyan Universities and middle level colleges. The regional competition is taking place today at the Kenya Polytechnic. Here are the first looks at the Robots from institutions taking part in the competition. University of Nairobi Robot Kiambu Institute of Science and Technology Robot Nairobi Technical Trainin Institute Robot Kenya Technical Training Institute Robot, The Winner Machakos Institute of Technology (MIT) Robot Some video will come soon… For more information on RoboCon…

• Killer Snares turned into artful message

  Paula Kahumbu

  30 Sep 2009 | 6:08 am

  I’ve been meaning to write this post for some time to recognize the amazing work being done by Dipesh Pabari at the Kenya Coast. When he told me he was turning snares set to kill wildlife into art I didn’t imagine it would look quite like this. Then he embarked on turning pollution in the ocean into another work of art. This whale shark is the outcome of his labor of love, it’s beautiful and meaningful. Hopefully we all get the message ‘stop killing wildlife and stop polluting the natural environment”. The project is getting a quite some attention. Last summer as part of their Ocean…

• Re-using plastic containers in Kenya

  Paula Kahumbu

  23 Sep 2009 | 9:48 am

  While hiking in the rift valley recently I came across a cow wearing this plastic gadget on his nose. It’s made from an old plastic container …..the local herdsmen said it was to stop him from suckling his mother – which is especially critical due to the severe drought in the region. Simple and effective I’d say! And here’s another one from Dominic Wanjihia – he calls it his vertical shamba and it’s water efficient and space conserving… perfect for a tiny yard. Here’s another clever use of plastic water bottles – bird feeders are…

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  White African

• African Connectivity Visualized

  HASH

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:49 am

  Jon Gosier’s Appfrica Labs has put together an amazing infographic on internet connectivity in Africa. Amazing work! “The African continent is rapidly changing. In the next two years 2 billion dollars will bring 12 terabits of connectivity to the continent. Will africa become the world’s newest outsourcing hub? Will it foster it’s own tech and startup culture? The image above explores the ‘infostate’ of Africa in 2009.” (Read More) Flickr set here Full-resolution version here Buy it in print here

• Creative Juices

  HASH

  10 Nov 2009 | 4:52 pm

  What gets you thinking creatively? I’ve been thinking a lot about the need to have more time spent away from the normal timesinks that define our working lives. Getting more dead time. Daydreaming time. Doodling time. My main ways: 1. Daydreaming I had 10 hours of driving time on Friday. That’s the perfect environment for me to get some thinking done, I’m unable to escape to the digital tethers of mobile phone or computer, and reading a book isn’t possible. Therefore I think, and seemingly unrelated patterns start to become apparent from different projects, people and…

• Tags, Time and Location

  HASH

  8 Nov 2009 | 9:28 pm

  On Friday I had a long conversation with Noam Cohen from the New York Times about Ushahidi and Twitter. He was doing some homework for an article he was writing on the increased value that geolocation data can add to the massive streams of data coming out of tools like Twitter, called “Refining the Twitter Explosion with GPS“. A lot of our discussion was centered around location, especially since he was thinking of the Ft. Hood shootings and the value of location in determining useful information from the Twitter stream during that crisis. This is what we’ve built Ushahidi…

• An African Tech List on Twitter

  HASH

  4 Nov 2009 | 3:06 pm

  A lot of people are on Twitter these days. So many, it seems that you can be overwhelmed by the number of people and it’s hard to find the right people to follow. To help with that, I’ve created a my own Twitter list that follows African Tech twitterers. My plan is to keep this list pared down to only those who put out a good number of tweets regarding technology in Africa. I’ll be the biased curator, and hopefully it’ll be useful to others. This means that people will get dropped, and others added, from time-to-time. Don’t be offended if you’re not on it,…

• Trusted Intermediaries

  HASH

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:52 pm

  If you’ve run into me in the last couple months you’ll likely have heard me talking a lot about the need, power and abilities of trusted intermediaries. What is a trusted intermediary? It’s someone who sits between two parties, entities or ideas that don’t naturally trust each other and provides a bridge. Do you trust this bridge? Why? In some ways, this train of thought stems from the posts on bridgers and xenophiles started by Ethan Zuckerman and riffed on by myself. It’s only as my continued work in the African tech space has evolved that I have come to…

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  Timbuktu Chronicles

• Bijagós Guinea-Bissau

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:38 am

  The NYTimes reports on a largely unspoiled tourist destination:The Bijagós, with their rich, abundant and untroubled flora and fauna, are classified a United Nations World Heritage Biosphere Reserve: apart from the remarkable hippos, there are 155 species of fish, making the islands a premier though rarely frequented destination for adventurous sport fishermen; and there are dolphins, manatees, crocodiles, monkeys and striped antelopes. Of the world’s eight species of tortoise, the World Heritage Center says, five are found there.More herephoto courtesy of the NYTimes

• Juju Films

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:11 am

  From the website:Juju Film's vision is a result of our passion in film, music, quality delivery and meeting the needs to provide an outlet for uniquely talented artists. As a global recording and multimedia venture we offer a broad array of local and international artists, as well as an impressive catalog of documentaries, short films, and rare footage. In all areas of our services our audience receive an additional benefit of gaining insight into socioeconomic and cultural awareness in Africa and its Diaspora.

• Mofaya-A musical

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:39 am

  In Haiya, Eric Wainaina’s traveling musical Mofaya:...is based on a ghetto story. The musical play which was showcased in New York City during the New York Musical Theatre Festival, run for almost two weeks featuring singers Valerie Kimani, Dan Aceda, Joshua Mwai, actress Mumbi Kaigwa and actor Peter King among others.HT Ory!

• Solution for Nairobi(or Lagos) Blackouts

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:23 am

  In Afrigadget:I love my juakali lamp and everyone that I know in Nairobi needs one of these lamps. Everything about it is so true to the juakali spirit – hand crafted using colourful recycled tins, and designed for a real purpose with a handle so you can move it around from room to room or hang it up.More here

• Health Tourism opens up-Holy Trinity Spa & Health Farm

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:17 am

  Gadling reports:...health tourism involves more than recharging your batteries on some serene beach. It's a chance to get medical treatment while getting away from it all. One place to do that in Ghana is the Holy Trinity Spa & Health Farm. Set along the Volta River, it's a cross between a resort hotel, ranch, and hospital, where you can take a dip in the pool, ride horses across African countryside, and have a physiotherapy session all in one day.More here

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  ...My heart's in Accra

• From compassion to action, from action to knowledge

  Ethan

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:32 pm

  I’ve opened a lot of lectures lately – presentations about our Media Cloud research at Berkman – by complaining about the New York Times’s Africa coverage. I cite the fact that Japan tends to average roughly 8-10 times as many mentions in the paper of record than Nigeria in any given year, which is odd, given their comparable population size and importance. (I also mention that the Times is not alone – all US media outlets I’ve studied closely show this pattern – and that the Africa stories the Times runs are frequently excellent.) If the Times is…

• Bridging with Brian Lehrer

  Ethan

  19 Nov 2009 | 7:29 am

  Brian Lehrer, the moderator of WNYC’s excellent morning show, has been kind enough to invite me onto his show all month long, appearing every Thursday morning. It’s been a somewhat insane month for me to participate. As Rachel explained on her blog, the last few weeks of her pregnancy have been a little tricky and scary, and I ended up doing one of our interviews from the parking lot of the local hospital. Rachel’s well and home today, and I have high hopes of broadcasting shows with Brian today and this coming Wednesday before she goes into labor! When we discussed what we…

• Samuel Bowles introduces Kudunomics

  Ethan

  17 Nov 2009 | 11:24 am

  Warning! Professor Bowles’s lecture was rich in economic jargon, and I’m not an economist. And it had an unusally high idea density. It’s quite possible that I missed large swaths of what he was saying and misinterpreted what he did say. If something here seems obviously wrong, please use the comments section to gently correct me. Yochai Benkler introduces Samuel Bowles of the Santa Fe Institute as his “intellectual hero” referencing his ability to apply a completely different set of intellectual tools to problems, switching tactics each decade. The target of…

• links for 2009-11-16

  Ethan

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:04 am

  Global Voices Online Japan: In a World with Automatic Translation Wonderful Japanese blogpost on the importance of automatic translation, and the benefits of translating the apparently silly and inconsequential (tags: anguage translation blogging search japan bridgeblogs)

• What if they stop clicking?

  Ethan

  13 Nov 2009 | 3:33 pm

  Who pays for content and services on the internet? My friend Bo Peabody thinks we should be asking not just whether ad-supported journalism is feasible, but whether ad-supported social networks will work. In a Washington Post op-ed titled “Twitter.org?“, Bo leverages his experience founding and running Tripod.com to suggest that social networking sites are misunderstood as content sites, and won’t be profitable as ad-supported properties. He suggests that, because these spaces are critically important digital public spheres, we should consider supporting them as nonprofits…

• 
  Hacktivate

• mysql replication

  mikeymckay

  12 Nov 2009 | 2:43 am

  I am currently working on a script to automate the process of setting up mysql database replication. I followed various tutorials but I always got stuck here:mysql> SHOW MASTER STATUS;Empty set (0.00 sec)Endless googling was no help (which is why I am blogging this). Eventually I realized that /etc/mysql/my.cnf was context sensitive, meaning that I couldn't just append the replication configuration to the end of the file. This meant I needed to insert the configuration into the appropriate place in the file. This meant inserting multiple lines of text into the middle of the file. Eventually I…

• Healthcare protocols save lives

  mikeymckay

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:03 am

  I highly recommend this excellent article in the NYTimes about how we can use data to create healthcare protocols that dramatically improve outcomes and reduce overall costs. (This is what we were trying to do in Malawi and what I am trying to introduce in the Philippines)Here are the key points that I want to remember:To enter mainstream use, any such treatment typically needs to clear a high bar. It will be subject to randomized trials, statistical-significance tests, the peer-review process of academic journals and the scrutiny of government regulators. Yet once a treatment enters the…

• Childcare Amazon.com style

  mikeymckay

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:36 am

  Noise blocking earmuffs...checkMusic...checkChildren locked away in kiddie jail...check

• ssh all the time

  mikeymckay

  2 Nov 2009 | 1:30 pm

  Using autossh and reverse ssh tunneling to bust out of NAT'd networks and firewalls automatically.In another lifetime I blogged about how to reverse an ssh connection. This was by far my most popular post ever. It earned enough in google ad money to cover my hosting costs. Those were the days. Those days are gone, and now lots of people have blogged about using reverse ssh tunnels. It's time to take it to the next level and make reverse ssh tunnels easy and ubiquitous.I want all of my machines to be setup with an ssh tunnel whenever one of them finds an internet connection. That way I can…

• Someone is doing something nasty

  mikeymckay

  29 Oct 2009 | 11:56 am

  Someone is doing something nasty. That's the title of my favorite Linux error message. It's to stop another computer from emulating another computer in order to try and steal passwords. They call this a man in the middle attack.Unfortunately, I am always caught doing something nasty. It's because I work with a lot of Linux machines, and I setup VirtualBox or VMWare servers, and each new server looks like an untrusted machine when I try and ssh to it. This always results in me getting this:@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@ WARNING: REMOTE HOST IDENTIFICATION HAS…

• 
  Bankelele

• KenCall CEO talks on Customer Service in Kenya

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  Nicholas Nesbitt is the Founder and CEO of KenCall, the first and most successful of Kenya’s business process outsourcing (BPO) and contact centre services providers. We had a chat about customer service in Kenya, why it’s so lacking, the cost of providing customer service to corporates and the consequences for corporates who do not engage with their customersexcerptsAs someone who has lived and

• Paying investor dividends by mobile phone - Part II

  17 Nov 2009 | 12:13 am

  Paying investor dividends by mobile phone - Part IIOn Saturday I got my dividend payment from small investment in shares of Safaricom which is Kenya’s’ leading mobile phone company.As expected this dividend payment was by mobile phone transfer using safaricom's M-pesa (actualy Vodafone - UK). Notification was in two parts, first a few days ago that the registration was successful, and then on

• NSE Portfolio November 2009

  11 Nov 2009 | 9:44 pm

  Equity market stalled since last quarterly review in August 2009 , as bond activity goes full steamThe stableDiamond TrustKenya AirwaysKCB Bank GroupSafaricomScangroupStanbic (Uganda)Review:Best performer: Stanbic (Uganda) is up 17% this quarter, then Safaricom up 7% Worst performer Scangroup down 6% then Diamond Trust down 5%In: noneOut: noneIncrease: noneDecrease: noneUnexpected gains/losses:

• CBK Profits II

  5 Nov 2009 | 6:31 am

  Reading the tea leaves at Central BankThe Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) FY 2009 (PDF) results are out and, compared to last year, it’s a different story. Banking on other Income: CBK is another institution that has had other income yield great returns. While net interest income was down from 10.3 to 8.4 billion, and commission income on treasury bills and bonds was flat at 3 billion (investors

• Nairobi Christmas Tourism Expo

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:28 am

  The annual Christmas tourism expo (Getaway ’09 fair) fair was held at Sarit center last weekend. About 75 exhibitors were offering holiday packages for Christmas and the New Year in addition to 2010 rates. Christmas and Easter are the most expensive holiday months in Kenya with rates for 23rd December to 5th January and then in the first week of April 2010 sometimes more than double the low

• 
  Kenyan Pundit

• Davos Global Agenda Council on the Future of Africa

  Ory Okolloh

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:21 am

  I’m the newest and I suspect the youngest member of the Davos Council on the Future of Africa.   I’m headed to Dubai for my first meeting as a Council member.   It’s a terrific honor – other members include Mo Ibrahim , Sam Jonah, Graca Machel, Maria Ramos, Obiageli Ezekwesili, Christopher Khaemba, Nkosana Moyo, and Salim Ahmed Salim. I have long argued that forums like Davos and G-20 need to be listening to the future of Africa and not the old guard or the Bonos.   Looks like all my noise-making paid off I am not sure how long I will last on the Council because…

• Kuweni Serious

  Ory Okolloh

  12 Nov 2009 | 11:21 pm

  Website of the week – young Kenyans speak out -  Kuweni Serious (hat-tip @afromusing).   It’s relatively new, hope they keep up the content. ….we at Kuweni Serious – we’re a bunch of kids ourselves – have decided to go out there and find out: how do Kenya’s youth feel about all the chaos around us? Are we proud to be Kenyan or are we secretly wishing we could get green cards and disappear forever? Where shall we raise our own kids? Are we happy? We intend to seek out all the young people out there who are trying to make sense of all this, the youth groups, the…

• Mo Faya in Nairobi

  Ory Okolloh

  9 Nov 2009 | 12:42 am

  A Kenyan musical written and composed by Eric Wainaina and directed by John Sibi-Okumu. Starring: Eric Wainaina, Valerie Kimani, Atemi Oyungu and Mũmbi Kaigwa Location:  The GoDown Arts Centre – Dunga Rd, off Lusaka Rd Tickets available at Silverbird Cinemas (Village Market, Junction and Westgate) and selected Uchumi outlets Contact Info: Mo Faya 0720 492540 http://www.mofayathemusical.com Dates: November 11th to December 20th: Wednesdays (1 ticket for 2) – 7.30pm – Sh300 adults, Sh300 students (13-18yrs) Thursdays and Fridays – 7.30pm – Sh600 adults, Sh400…

• Financial Times Special Report on Kenya

  Ory Okolloh

  29 Oct 2009 | 6:58 am

  The Financial Times has just put together a special feature report on Kenya.   The FT has done a number of great articles on Kenya this year so I’m looking forward to reading the report – includes articles on the wave of kidnappings to hit Nairobi (just heard from a person in the know that the incidents are actually seriously under-reported); the Mau Forest; and the dithering stock exchange.

• Blog find of the week: Africa is a Country

  Ory Okolloh

  27 Oct 2009 | 2:23 am

  Africa is a Country – as tongue in cheek as it’s title, and great links to African artistes.

• 
  Oluniyi David Ajao

• Cyber crime in Ghana: How to tackle the menace

  Oluniyi David Ajao

  16 Nov 2009 | 6:33 am

  The following was what I extracted from a presentation as a part of Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Accra Remote Hub Participation. Cyber crime in Ghana: How to tackle the menace as presented by...

• Internet Governance Forum (IGF) Accra Remote Hub Participation

  Oluniyi David Ajao

  16 Nov 2009 | 1:20 am

  I am participating remotely in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) 2009 currently going on in Egypt, from Accra. The Accra remote hub participation is under the theme “Internet Governance...

• Africa’s Got Talent. $1 million Grand Price.

  Oluniyi David Ajao

  14 Nov 2009 | 11:18 pm

  America’s Got Talent is a talent-hunt show in the United States of America, seeking to find the very best of raw showbiz talent in that country. It is open to people of all ages, and does not...

• Movie Review: A Sting In A Tale

  Oluniyi David Ajao

  13 Nov 2009 | 11:50 am

  Around this time last Friday night, I was well-seated in the Accra International Conference Centre, sipping a “free” coke and waiting for the first screening of  A Sting In A Tale, the...

• Effective Blogging: Why Do You Want To Blog?

  Oluniyi David Ajao

  11 Nov 2009 | 12:04 am

  This blog post is part of a series of blog posts focused on how to blog more effectively. This week, I am examining an issue that has cropped-up since I started this “Effective Blogging”...

• 
  Ideate

• Bring a South African home for Christmas!

  Fred

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:51 am

  The Ideate crew only heard about this campaign yesterday, but were amped when this came through our inbox. I’d never been to the KuduClub website before, but upon clicking through, I was well stoked at the sheer weight of good ol’ Saffa fare on the portal. (Once again, it is well and truly great to be South African!) Go check out the KuduClub site here just to remind you about all the cool entertainment we’re seeing on our shores. So, here’s the thing – KuduClub is serving up the best in South African entertainment, and they’ve realised that there are…

• 1 min. with a Superhero: Gerhard Pieterse of Autism Western Cape (on his way to Kilimanjaro!)

  Fred

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:45 am

  This afternoon we’re chatting with Gerhard Pieterse, who is climbing Kilimanjaro to raise awareness and funds for autism. Gerhard is the Chairman of Autism Western Cape* and stands at around 7ft tall in his socks. He’s aiming even higher today, leaving for Kilimanjaro on a new adventure in the cause of his beloved AWC. Gerhard, first you get locked up in jail for Autism for 74 days, now you’re trudging your 7ft frame up the highest freestanding mountain in the wwworld and the highest point in Africa. What. Is. Wrong. With. You? Wrong how? I am just the guy next door wanting to make…

• The Ten Most Influential Internet Moments of the Decade

  Yolandi

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:00 am

  It’s time to reflect the 10 most influential Internet moments of the past decade. The Webby Awards have set up a list of the 10 biggest moments of the Internet. This list includes both high-profile moments and quieter moments that are seen as turning points on how we use and view the Internet. Here are Webby’s top 10 in chronological order: Craigslist expands outside San Francisco (2000) In 2000, the free classifieds site broadened its reach outside of San Francisco into nine additional U.S. cities, sending chills down the spines of newspaper publishers everywhere. Today Craigslist…

• Getting Things Done

  Bruce Wade

  19 Nov 2009 | 9:30 pm

  Each day as I meet with people I hear the same underlying issue of lack of results. It is just not getting to the things we need to get done. Some call it time management, but as we all know time cannot be managed at all, it just ticks by with each second. What we need is self-management around time. Setting ourselves up for success around time. So how do we do this? Understand how our daily energy cycle works and plot this on a page. Some people are naturally morning people others are night owls, some are best at noon. Our eating plan has a huge affect on this but normally we have our daily…

• A lesson for the recession

  Fred

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:01 am

  Regular readers of Ideate may have noticed I refer to the book “Good to Great” a lot. Written by Stanford Business Professor Jim Collins, it’s a seminal work that I reckon ought to be read by every business owner. One of the defining lessons in it is from a chapter entitled ‘The Stockdale Paradox” where Collins refers to a conversation with Vice Admiral James Bond Stockdale (no kidding). This from Wikipedia:…

• 
  Black Looks

• I’m reminded…

  Mia Nikasimo

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:00 am

  Violent suppression of initiatives we cannot understand or even deaths in the African Diaspora as well as the African LGBTI set us back for generations but worse still is the hypocrisy and corruption that blinds us to this fact. Why? When you kill a living being because of their gender identity or whatever reason, you [...]

• Transgender day of remembrance

  Sokari

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:15 am

  From Gender DynamiX This Friday Daisy Dube will be remembered. Daisy was shot and killed in Yeoville in 2008 because of her gender identity. She and three drag queens out for the night stopped and asked three men in a car to stop calling them “isitabane.” (A isiZulu slur used for LGBT people). Her cold blooded [...]

• Trans: transgender life stories from South Africa

  Sokari

  18 Nov 2009 | 9:44 am

  I feel so proud and over joyed to be writing this post today. In spite of the struggle against transphobia and homophobia two exciting ground breaking pieces of work are happening in Africa which celebrate Transgender lives on the continent. The first is the launch of Trans: Transgender Life Stories from South [...]

• The ladies are Nudist! So what?

  Sokari

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:03 am

  Kayode Ogundamisi posted this note on Facebook commenting on the Lagos State Government’s “Rambo” raid on private nightclubs. The club dancers were dehumanised and photographed in the nude by security forces with the photos being sent to the press. Kayode’s comment speaks to the whole issue of hypocrisy, citizens rights and policing morality [...]

• Allah is not obliged – walahé!

  Sokari

  16 Nov 2009 | 4:41 pm

  “ Allah is not obliged – to be fair about all things he does here on earth” is the mantra that weaves itself through this remarkable novel by Ahmadou Kourouma. This was my first reading of Kourouma which I started at 11am and finished around 6.30pm. In those seven hours [...]

• 
  Mike Stopforth

• I’m Published! (In Dion Chang’s 2010 Flux Trends Review)

  Mike

  13 Nov 2009 | 2:25 am

  Not only has Dion Chang forged an enviable reputation as one of South Africa’s leading fashion authorities but since breaking away from that industry and into trend forecasting and commentary a few years back, he and the brilliant team at Flux have set the benchmark in strategic thinking for the future of and in South Africa. At the launch of Dion’s 2010 Flux Trends Review earlier this month Toby Shapshak described him as the “best incarnation of Ghandi’s ‘be the change you want to see in the world’ mantra’, which is no mean compliment. So…

• The Bookmark Awards – Be Big In Digital

  Mike

  13 Nov 2009 | 12:34 am

  Earlier this year I wrote about how impressed I was with the RAMP foundation and their efforts regarding the 2009 Net Prophet conference. Considering that, and how blown away I was with the second annual Bookmark Awards evening held last night at Movida in Jozi, it’s clear that digital in South Africa is definitely growing up and competing with it’s print, TV and radio cousins for quality. From the high quality of the judging panel, to the evening’s entertainment (1st Project and the Dirty Skirts) to the really funky awards themselves, it really was a world class event. Huge…

• Report Back On 27dinner Jozi Last Night

  Mike

  29 Sep 2009 | 4:23 am

  Last night marked the 44th iteration of the 27dinner social networking movement, held at FTV in Village Walk. With the dinners reaching unparalleled popularity (numbers peaking at 170+ on the attendance list at 27dinner.com), it is becoming increasingly challenging to organise and execute an event that now has some pretty high expectations around it in the geek community. All that considered I thought Melody Maker, who has made the event her own, did a pretty awesome job. Thanks needs to go to eBucks who sponsored cocktails for all in attendance and gave an insightful talk on virtual…

• Stubble, Poker And Perceptions

  Mike

  18 Sep 2009 | 1:47 am

  Philips (and their PR company) are awesome. The consumer electronics brand has really rallied behind online advocates – fans of the brand – engaging them in innovative and exciting ways to promote positive brand sentiment. I have been invited to events ranging from an ‘iron-off’ (which I was pretty darn good at) to last night’s poker evening at Movida in Sunninghill, all offering me an opportunity to sample Philip’s new products and meet the people behind the brand. To promote their new range of mens and ladies shavers, Philips linked up with the very…

• 5 Tips For Becoming A Better Presenter

  Mike

  17 Sep 2009 | 4:15 am

  Over the past three years I have spent a great deal of time presenting to schools, church groups, NGO’s, government and more on the subjects of social and mobile media. Public speaking is a wonderful privilege and a fine art. I am not nearly the speaker I could be, but I have some thoughts I’d like to share that may assist you as a speaker or presenter as you forge a career and reputation for yourself. Stay true to yourself There is a plethora of self-help books, training programmes and online resources that will help you become a better speaker, not to mention formal clubs like…

• 
  Afro Spear

• Sarah Palin daring to Go Rogue: A Case Study in the Art of Style over Substance

  asabagna

  20 Nov 2009 | 6:33 pm

  As I look down upon American society…literally and figuratively… from my perch up here in Canada, I must admit that it’s politics and political figures fascinates me to some extent. The higher up the political ladder one goes, its becomes more and more like following a t.v. reality show, where as we know, “style over substance” is the premise of all the various plots. The continuing drama surrounding U.S. presidential politics is the highest stage where this phenomenon plays itself out. Where “American Idol” meets “America’s Top…

• sat’day riddymz

  asabagna

  14 Nov 2009 | 10:01 am

• The Obama (In)Difference‏ by “Lisa Fritsch”

  asabagna

  13 Nov 2009 | 9:07 am

  Commentary submission by Project 21 One word comes to mind for describing Barack Obama’s tenure since last year’s election: indifference. It’s a vast contrast from the “hope” and “change” Obama peddled to voters on the campaign trail. It’s not that he doesn’t aspire to hope or change. It’s just that his definitions seems to have little to do with the desires most of the rest of the American people. He knows his ideas are unpopular, yet President Obama remains stubbornly indifferent to the voices of his consituency. He is petulant…

• sat’day riddymz

  asabagna

  7 Nov 2009 | 7:33 am

• American Empire Building Strategy in the Age of Obama

  asabagna

  6 Nov 2009 | 7:57 am

  Excellent article by STRATFOR Global Intelligence: “Obama and the U.S. Strategy of Buying Time”.  

• 
  South Africa Rocks

• Consumer Protection Act Series – Part Two

  Nic Haralambous

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:44 am

  Following on from my first post about the Consumer Protection Act, here are a couple more bite-sized chunks about the new legislation to help you get to grips with how it will affect your life and help you to realise your rights as a South African citizen. 1. The Act protects you against a range of discriminatory marketing practices. In a nutshell this means that suppliers cannot unfairly exclude you from accessing a good or service if you meet the necessary basic requirements. An example of a ‘necessary requirement’ is being eighteen or older to purchase alcohol. 2. Many of you will be…

• The best Wildlife in the World

  Nic Haralambous

  18 Nov 2009 | 12:20 am

  Ed’s note: This post is a guest post from Rich Laburn who has worked extensively in the South African bush and currently at Londolozi Private Game Reserve. This is the first of four posts that Rich will be writing. There is nothing quite like South African wildlife. It is impressive and has endured long before the first seeds of the country were sown. In South Africa the opportunity to spend uncluttered time with this wildlife is phenomenal because of the accessibility and diversity of game reserves. South Africa hosts many concessions and reserves that provide exclusive opportunities…

• South Africa is Oxford’s “Place of the year” for 2009

  Nic Haralambous

  13 Nov 2009 | 3:01 am

  Isn’t this interesting? Oxford University has singled out South Africa is it’s “Place of the year” for 2009. This in light of the 2010 World Cup, the string of films being produced about South Africa or by South Africans. Words from the Oxford University Press: I dare you to watch the trailer for this December’s Invictus—the story of how a newly elected Nelson Mandela used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to bring his people together—without feeling slight heart palpitation. Particularly in a scene where we see Mandela speaking with a political confidante: “This rugby,…

• Don’t Complain… compliment… some more!

  Nic Haralambous

  13 Nov 2009 | 1:44 am

  In line with the Don’t Complain Campaign, we would like to congratulate South African businesses that have listened to their customers feedback and have impressed them with top quality customer service.  Here are a couple of great examples from the getclosure compliments section: Supplier: First National Bank Supplier Branch: Constantia Village Customer: Debbie Lewis Date of Occurrence: 6 November 2009 Compliment: I am due to travel to Australia this weekend and went to F&B to increase my International Daily Limit to be used at the ATM when I arrive. I was helped by Gillian Cloete and…

• Nelson Mandela day now an international day

  Nic Haralambous

  12 Nov 2009 | 12:54 am

  In a unanimous vote from the UN, Nelson Mandela day has gone international. Here’s the press release I received: The resolution was unanimously adopted yesterday, with the support of all UN member states and co-sponsorship of over 165 members, from all regions of the world. This represents the overwhelming support of the entire international community in honouring Mr Mandela. We hope this signals the beginning of greater involvement by the global community in this movement for good. Mandela Day is an annual international day of humanitarian action in celebration of Mr Mandela’s life…

• 
  Ladybrille® Blog

• Ladybrille Media Supports Africa’s Youth with Sponsor of The Future Awards 2010

  Ladybrille.com

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:01 am

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE SACRAMENTO, CA Nov. 18th, 2009-- Ladybrille Media Group, Inc., (LADYBRILLE) a USA based multi-media company providing local and global niche market coverage in fashion, film,... Visit us for the full story! Also be sure to check Ladybrille Magazine at http://ladybrillemag.com for stories on Africa fashion,film, music and the arts!

• Amazing Raffle- New Years Eve at the Mohegan Sun for 4 & Concert !

  Ladybrille.com

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:57 am

  All For Africa has yet another amazing raffle for you. Celebrate NEW YEARS EVE with you & 3 of your friends/family members at the Mohegan Sun. This package for includes one hotel night stay for 4 at... Visit us for the full story! Also be sure to check Ladybrille Magazine at http://ladybrillemag.com for stories on Africa fashion,film, music and the arts!

• Christmas Toy Drive For Sick Children and Orphans in Cameroon

  Ladybrille.com

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:55 am

  Please Join us at the Global Mall to donate your toys we accept new toys and used toys in good condition. Each toy donated will go to a sick child or orphan.Date: Sat Dec 5th,2009Time:... Visit us for the full story! Also be sure to check Ladybrille Magazine at http://ladybrillemag.com for stories on Africa fashion,film, music and the arts!

• The Bar Method Holiday Trunk show

  Ladybrille.com

  17 Nov 2009 | 4:34 pm

  The Bar Method Holiday Trunk showFeaturing Hazel & Harlow and all their designers!Sunday, November 22nd8AM to 2PMThe Bar Method Studio128 De Anza BlvdCrystal Springs PlazaSan Mateo CAJewelry by Hazel... Visit us for the full story! Also be sure to check Ladybrille Magazine at http://ladybrillemag.com for stories on Africa fashion,film, music and the arts!

• LINEA PELLE STORE “POPS UP” AT HENRI BENDEL IN NEW YORK

  Ladybrille.com

  17 Nov 2009 | 2:25 pm

  Southern California Lifestyle Brand Opens Temporary Retail Space To Celebrate the Holidays Los Angeles (November 16, 2009) – Linea Pelle, the Southern California lifestyle brand known for its custom... Visit us for the full story! Also be sure to check Ladybrille Magazine at http://ladybrillemag.com for stories on Africa fashion,film, music and the arts!

• 
  Annansi Chronicles

• Liya Kebede stars in Somali supermodel Waris Dirie’s biopic

  kofi

  19 Nov 2009 | 1:39 pm

  Supermodel Waris Dirie’s book Desert Flower: The Extraordinary Journey Of A Desert Nomad, published in 1999, helped fuel the open discussion of female genital mutilation in her native Somalia. After spawning two follow-up books, Desert Dawn and Desert Children, the original book is now premiering as a feature film starring another supermodel, Ethiopian Liya Kebede. Watch the trailer for the new movie “Desert Flower (”Wüstenblume” )” below. More about the movie here. If the video is not visible below click here. (via Africa_Visual_Media) Liya Kebede stars in Somali…

• Trending Africa Nov. 18, 2009: Jay-Z, Will Smith produce Fela! musical, China’s $10bn for Africa, Dinosaurs in Africa

  kofi

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:32 am

  Jay-Z, Will Smith join production team of “Fela!”, a Broadway musical about the life and music of Fela Anikulapo–Kuti. Show officially opens Monday November 23, 2009. A MUST SEE!! Jennifer Hudson to star in ‘Winnie’; Mandela that is Tim Berners-Lee, the father of the internet, is on a trip in Africa; announces 2 new projects New Dinosaur species discovered in South Africa Download financial and economic reports on all African countries courtesy of Wharton Business Schools China pledges $10 billion in loans to Africa over next 3 years Trending Africa Nov. 18, 2009:…

• Trending Africa Nov. 5, 2009: 50 yrs of African film online, MTV Base vs Channel O, Studying India outsourcing success

  kofi

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:06 am

  Why branding Africa is the design goal African companies are studing India’s outsourcing successes to be able to compete MTV Base and Channel O battle to be the face and voice of African music television Globalizing your brand in Africa To govern Africa, you need the facts, says billionaire Mo ibrahim Download the World Bank’s Doing Business in Kenya 2010 report Essential tools and references to help you start a social enterprise How to grow your brand responsibly in Africa M-Net launched African Film Library the largest online video library of  50 years of African film…

• Microsoft, GE look to emerging markets for reverse innovation and profits

  kofi

  29 Sep 2009 | 10:31 am

  When GE chief executive Jeffrey Immelt wrote in this month’s Harvard Business Review that GE’s “Success in developing countries is a prerequisite for continued vitality in developed ones” and as a result the company was full on adopting the reverse innovation model, he sent shockwaves through the US-based business world. Looking at the numbers though, who could argue. The HBR article explains that “GE’s revenues outside the United States soared from $4.8 billion, or 19% of total revenues, in 1980, to $97 billion, or more than half of the total, in 2008.”…

• The long-lasting impact of 2010 World Cup on S. Africa

  kofi

  23 Sep 2009 | 8:39 am

  Image by coda via Flickr This guest post by John Kim The Olympics and FIFA World Cup are often hailed as huge boons for their host countries or cities. At least that is how they are described prior to the event. Local organizing committees, civic and business leaders, and celebrities alike sell the economic, social, and cultural benefits of hosting international games. But history has shown that the bold projections and promises are not generally met. A few noted successes have been the Barcelona Summer Olympics in 1992 and the 2000 Sydney Summer Olympics. Barcelona is hailed as a good…

• 
  matthewbuckland.com

• Sixth Sense future media

  matt

  15 Nov 2009 | 10:54 am

  Forget cellphone cameras — future interfaces and the future web will be interactive projections. It could also mean the ultimate “convergence” of devices. For example, if the projection is simulating hardware — such as buttons on your cellphone or a keyboard or a screen — you could project multiple device interfaces from just one device, [...] Click on headline link to visit matthewbuckland.com for full article

• The future of us

  matt

  11 Nov 2009 | 1:02 pm

  One of the reasons innovation — true innovation — is so difficult to achieve, is that we’re trapped by legacy. It’s the key criticism of so-called old media companies. They’re so culturally and institutionally programmed to work a certain way and protect old assets, that “innovation” in some contexts is merely tantamount to rearranging deck [...] Click on headline link to visit matthewbuckland.com for full article

• SA study: More people banking with their mobiles than PCs

  matt

  3 Nov 2009 | 9:29 am

  According to respected market research organisation World Wide Worx, the number of people banking from their cellphones has exceeded that of people banking from their PCs in South Africa. More than a quarter of bank customers are turning to their cellphones for services ranging from informational transaction types such as balance enquiries to financial transaction [...] Click on headline link to visit matthewbuckland.com for full article

• Invictus trailer

  matt

  28 Oct 2009 | 8:47 am

  Hollywood seems to be loving the tip of Africa. It’s great to see yet another high quality movie made about South Africa (I was all over District 9). I’ve been waiting to see this movie ever since Matt Damon wizzed passed me in Hout Bay, about to tackle Suikerbossie on the Cape Argus Cycle tour [...] Click on headline link to visit matthewbuckland.com for full article

• Mac vs PC: Windows 7

  matt

  23 Oct 2009 | 9:23 am

  (lol) tags: Mac, pc, Windows, windows 7 Potentially related posts Why Microsoft will eventually win on the web (11) The power of information (0) The perfect Mac mini home theatre setup (10) The great convergence sideshow (0) Online media strategies & the future of print: Interview with Mags magazine (1) Click on headline link to visit matthewbuckland.com for full article

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  Global Voices Online: Sub-Saharan Africa

• Malawi: Should there be a Sex Workers Bill

  Ndesanjo Macha

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:14 am

  Marshal discusses Sex Workers Bill in Malawi: “Recent media reports pointing that the government intends to come up with a Sex Worker’s Bill with an aim of protecting sex workers in the country, shocked quite a few of us.”

• Kenya: Inventor of the World Wide Web lands in Kenya

  Ndesanjo Macha

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:11 am

  Sir Tim Berners-Lee is in Kenya: “Credited with inventing the World Wide Web(WWW), Sir Tim Berners- Lee is in town and was today at the Strathmore University for an Interactive IT education session for IT professionals, students and innovators.”

• Global Health: World Toilet Day Raises a Stink

  Juhie Bhatia

  19 Nov 2009 | 11:27 am

  While it may sound like a bad joke, today's World Toilet Day focuses on a not-so-funny issue impacting almost half the world's population — a lack of toilets and sanitation. People may be too embarrassed to openly talk about it, but everyone does it, toilet or not. World Toilet Day helps people celebrate the importance of sanitation and raise awareness for the 2.5 billion people who don't have access to toilets and proper sanitation. This video by the nonprofit WaterAid highlights the luxury of having a toilet. Celebrating your can may seem silly, but not having one can not…

• Africa: Google sponsors Kiswahili Wikipedia Challenge

  Ndesanjo Macha

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:32 am

  Google is pushing for more content on Kiswahili Wikipedia through Kiswahili Wikipedia Challenge: We invite you to take part in this challenge to create Wikipedia articles in Kiswahili. We hope to make the online experience richer and more relevant for 100 million African users who speak Kiswahili.

• Cameroon: Southern Cameroon vs. La Republique du Cameroun

  Ndesanjo Macha

  17 Nov 2009 | 7:34 am

  Cameroonian blogger Dibussi Tande discusses the ruling of the African Commission on Human Rights in Southern Cameroons vs. La Republique du Cameroun.

• 
  Mara Triangle Blog

• Update from Kamande on Work of Care for the Wild/AKT Scouts

  William

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:42 pm

  Care for the Wild/Anne Kent Taylor Scouts work closely with Mara Conservancy rangers inside the Mara Triangle and also in the areas bordering the reserve. This is an update from Elias Kamande, Field Coordinator:   The team and Mara Conservancy rangers patrolled various places adjacent to the Mara Triangle. Most of these places are still in danger as the poachers are still roaming and killing our wildlife during the night. Dead elephant killed by poachers. The hide & seek game is the order of the day although arrests are still made almost every month. Poachers are still getting new…

• Links We Like

  William

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:39 pm

  Calling all lodge/camp managers; do you regularly test your water? - Lots of useful links from Amanda and Chris with inexpensive ways to test your water and protect your guests. Cattle Crisis on the Narok side of the Reserve and how it affects hyaena behaviour. I'll be interested to see what comments the Hyaena Researchers have. Basecamp Masai Mara wins World's Best Ecotourism Hotel by Skål International And Paula from WildlifeDirect responds to FMC's claims that they're doing everything they can to reduce the negative impact of furadan on East Africa's wildlife. 

• See the Wildebeest Migration in the Mara Triangle... on Google Earth!

  William

  3 Nov 2009 | 12:44 am

  We're in the process of installing tracking devices into our vehicles here at the Conservancy, and as our Land Cruiser arrived at Oloololo Gate I had a quick peek at its progress over on Google Earth. Since I've last been on it seems that Google have updated the satellite image for the top of the Mara Triangle, and you can even see the new toilets that we've constructed over at Oloololo (in the top left hand corner). I also noticed that our grader is parked outside of the rangers quarters, which means that it's just after we had completed grading the roads inside the Triangle and were about…

• Please don't ignore us KWS!

  William

  25 Oct 2009 | 2:08 am

  We mentioned back in early June about the Lion Poisoning on the other side of the reserve and we're pleased to see that Mr Omondi from KWS echoed our sentiments in Thursday's Daily Nation: A total of 10 lions have been killed by herders who have lost their cattle to the large cats. In one case, farmers poisoned a carcass and it left for the lions. It killed not just a lion, but also 300 vultures that ate the carcasses of the cow and the lion. Mr Omondi says the herders should expect to lose some of their animals if they choose to break the law and let them graze in game…

• Feast your eyes and feed the Conservancy.

  William

  9 Oct 2009 | 1:47 am

  Sarah and Andy are back to the UK after another trip to the Mara Triangle and are selling some of their excellent photographs with a whopping £5 per print going to the Mara Conservancy. As you can see, brilliant photos at a brilliant price. Print Only: A4 PRINT ONLY - £17.00 + Delivery A3 PRINT ONLY - £24.00 + Delivery Mounted with Backing Board: A4 with BLACK MOUNT - £22.00 + Delivery A4 with IVORY MOUNT - £22.00 + Delivery A3 with BLACK MOUNT - £30.00 + Delivery A3 with IVORY MOUNT - £30.00 + Delivery What are you waiting for? Purchase your print…

• 
  BarCamp Africa Twitter Feed

• BarcampAfrica: Mobile Money Steps in as last minute sponsor of BarCampCameroon: We have a special thanks to MyMoney for coming.. http://bit.ly/3zjPQR

  11 Nov 2009 | 4:25 am

  BarcampAfrica: Mobile Money Steps in as last minute sponsor of BarCampCameroon: We have a special thanks to MyMoney for coming.. http://bit.ly/3zjPQR

• BarcampAfrica: BarCampCameroon : Thank you!: Well, Cameroon first ever BarCamp has come and gone More than 200 people register.. http://bit.ly/3hZyWA

  9 Nov 2009 | 12:24 am

  BarcampAfrica: BarCampCameroon : Thank you!: Well, Cameroon first ever BarCamp has come and gone More than 200 people register.. http://bit.ly/3hZyWA

• BarcampAfrica: Google keynote presentation @ Barcamp Cameroun: http://bit.ly/k0CrZ

  8 Nov 2009 | 10:28 am

  BarcampAfrica: Google keynote presentation @ Barcamp Cameroun: http://bit.ly/k0CrZ

• BarcampAfrica: BarCamp Africa UK info: The crowd has gathered well and more will probably show up as time goes one given that .. http://bit.ly/4EYnxP

  7 Nov 2009 | 4:29 am

  BarcampAfrica: BarCamp Africa UK info: The crowd has gathered well and more will probably show up as time goes one given that .. http://bit.ly/4EYnxP

• BarcampAfrica: BarCamp Cameroon Live Stream: This goes live today, follow us live here:

  6 Nov 2009 | 10:34 pm

  BarcampAfrica: BarCamp Cameroon Live Stream: This goes live today, follow us live here: <a href="http://www.coveritlive.com.. http://bit.ly/1xuET1

• 
  The Zambian

• Zambia awaits AFCON draw

  Zamfoot

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:46 am

  The Chipolopolo Boys will in a few moments know their opponents for the group stage of the 2010 Africa Cup of Nations slated for Angola in January. The Confederation of African Football (CAF) is conducting the draw for the Orange Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) which started from 16:00hrs and ends around 18:15 Local Time at the [...]...(read more)

• London Saga: FAZ told to apologise

  Zamfoot

  19 Nov 2009 | 10:14 pm

  The National Sports Council of Zambia (NSCZ) has delivered its much anticipated decision on the embarrasing Chipolopolo date against Ghana in London on August 12 directing the Football Association of Zambia (FAZ) to hold a press briefing to apologise to the nation for the debacle. Delivering the verdict yesterday in Lusaka, NSCZ chairman, Chifumu Banda, also said [...]...(read more)

• Zambia, North Korea match hit by withdrawals

  Zamfoot

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:26 pm

  The friendly international match between Chipolopolo and World Cup qualifiers North Korea to be played at Nkoloma Stadium in Lusaka on Saturday has been hit by foreign based players withdrawal from the Chipolopolo. Only two foreign based players, Armernia based teenage ace Emmaneul Mbola and China based striker James Chamanga are set to feature against the [...]...(read more)

• Zanaco on the verge of deposing Zesco Utd as champs

  Zamfoot

  18 Nov 2009 | 7:57 am

  Zanaco this afternoon extended their lead of the KCM Premier League after beating Aggrey Chiyangi’s Chambishi by 4-1 in a one sided match at Lusaka’s Sunset stadium. The Bankers took the lead thanks to a Winston Kalengo tap in after Allan Mukuka provided an inch perfect cross to give Wedson Nyierenda’s men in the ascendancy. Four minutes [...]...(read more)

• Zesco set to sign Sunzu Jr

  Zamfoot

  18 Nov 2009 | 1:20 am

  Giant Striker Felix Sunzu Jr is set to complete a move to big spenders and Ndola based side Zesco United, Zambianfootball.net understands and can exclusively reveal. And it also understood that Zesco is also chasing the signature of new Chipolopolo centre-back Percy Kisonge from Zamtel. A close source to the CAF Champions’ League group stage finalist revealed [...]...(read more)

• 
  Appfrica» Appfrica | Ideas, Development, Data and Design.

• Population of the Dead

  Jon

  16 Nov 2009 | 7:00 am

  How many people have ever lived? While doing research about populations for my last piece, I began to wonder just how many people had ever walked the face of the earth. The articles I found [here and here] were intriguing so I decided to visualize them as well. Link to the high-res. Text from the image: The numbers are highly speculative but are as accurate as modern science allows. It’s widely accepted that prior to 2002 there had been somewhere between 106 and 140 billion homo sapiens born to the world. The graphic below uses the conservative number (106 bn) as the basis for a concentric…

• Infostate of Africa

  Jon

  13 Nov 2009 | 9:54 am

  People often only see Africa from one perspective, here’s another. The above infographic details some of the happenings over the past few years in regards to infrastructure improvement and capacity building in Africa, particularly in the area of the internet and cost. The sources are various reports from the International Monetary Fund, InternetWorldStats, the Millennium Development Goals, research papers, various websites, executive market research and more; compiling some fascinating facts about the continent’s ‘infostate’ (trends in information technology and…

• Typekit For Arabophones: Arabic Fonts When You Want Them

  Theresa Carpenter Sondjo

  5 Nov 2009 | 10:32 pm

  Angolphone (and speakers of languages with similar alphabets) have many tools available to work with type on the web. As design becomes more sophistocated, designers need better and better tools to manage fonts online. TypeKit, for example, is a tool that will allow designers to use embeded professional fonts without requiring the end-user to download new fonts, however, the foundries and designers currently working on the project do not have plans to include non-Western fonts. The lack of Arabic fonts available for Windows, Apple, and Linux systems has long frustrated arabophone web…

• This Ain’t a Phone, It’s An Arms Race

  Jon

  5 Nov 2009 | 8:31 am

  It goes without saying that mobile is exciting business these days across Africa. Chris Andrews writes…. If you want a picture of explosive growth in mobile communications, look to Africa. A report from The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) has found that between 2003 and 2008, mobile subscriptions surged from 54 million to almost 350 million; or a 550% increase in five years. In 2008, the report found, Gabon, Seychelles, and South Africa had a mobile penetration rate of almost 100 subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. In North Africa, the average penetration…

• Google Trader Extends Service to Web Users

  Jon

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:56 am

  Earlier this year Google introduced a suite of SMS services that brought things like search and electronic market places to the mobile devices so common to East Africa. Last week, in addition to their massive Geospatial technology conference, Google announced that they were launching a web platform for one of those products…Google Trader. Essentially, Google Trader is an online marketplace like we’ve seen a thousand of before; a place people can visit to search for, buy and sell all sorts of goods and services. When the new product was debuted in Uganda last Summer, users could only…

• 
  naijablog

• Teju Cole at CCA, Lagos tomorrow, 2pm

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:18 am

  Unmissable event if you are into the arts and live in Lagos...Here.

• Zanabazar

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:48 am

  The Mongolian flag is now my favourite flag. The colours are not the issue; its rather the insignia on the left hand red column that sparkles the attention. It was apparently designed in the seventeenth century by Zanabazar, the Mongolian version of Michelangelo. My translator explains it thus: the fire on top is the symbol of eternity, then there is the sun below, cradled by the moon. Both of these are elemental figures grounded in the shamanism that has been around these parts for centuries. The yin/yang figure is partly influenced by Buddhism, but also relates to the watchfulness of fish.

• UB bling

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:36 am

  UB bling, originally uploaded by nobodaddy69.Hummers, Armani, Louis Vuitton.... could the resource curse be coming to Mongolia at the speed of a tsunami, or will the vast mineral wealth of the country benefit all 2.7 million citizens?

• The Government House UB

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:33 am

  The Government House, UB, originally uploaded by nobodaddy69.

• Chinggis Khan statue

  17 Nov 2009 | 5:51 am

  Chinggis Khan statue, originally uploaded by nobodaddy69.

• 
  Africa Unchained

• Redefining Development-James Shikwati

  20 Nov 2009 | 8:11 am

  James Shikwati writes in African Executive:A redefinition of development to put Africans at the center of determining what they need (and not what they have been taught to need) is crucial. In an East African Community forum in Arusha recently, delegates sought to know how the "One Laptop Per Child" initiative leads to development. One delegate quipped: "Why not one tractor per farmer?" Psychologists remind us that when every other moment it is someone else fixing us, we cannot mature.More here

• France and its continued support for Dictators

  19 Nov 2009 | 4:42 am

  Adam Nossiter writes in the NYTimes:It is not a good time to be French in Francophone Africa, except if you are a high official from Paris privately visiting a strongman’s palace. As democracy slips in country after country in the region, France often quietly sides, once again, with the once-and-future autocrats.All summer long, while African opposition figures were protesting, demonstrating and fleeing, men in power were coolly visiting Paris, or receiving visits in return.More hereSee related article on America's blind eye to looters from Africa

• Quick Hits

  18 Nov 2009 | 6:46 am

  'Africa must think big to thrive'-Mo IbrahimThe Ethiopian Children's FundThe weakest link for Africa-commoditiesAn interview with the award winning writer, Sade AdeniranRelated articles by ZemantaGroup condemns Guinea shootings, Madagascar coup (seattletimes.nwsource.com)

• Rent-Seeking

  17 Nov 2009 | 6:55 am

  The FT on rent-seeking:Rent-seeking takes many forms. On Europe's oldest highway, the Rhine river, the castles on rocky outcrops date from the time when bandits with aristocratic titles extracted tolls from passing traffic. In poor countries the focus of political and business life is often rent-seeking rather than wealth creation. That helps explain why some countries are rich and others poor.More here

• Manufacturing is key to Prosperity

  16 Nov 2009 | 8:07 am

  In The Banker Africa Export Import Bank's Jean-Louis Ekra states:Creating more wealth through local entrepreneurs producing goods that are value added will produce local wealth.Once you diversify away from commodities you are less subject to volatility. If more and more African countries produce finished goods then we can trade among ourselves and new markets would open up.China has become a market today but 20 years ago people were saying it would never have any [internal] purchasing power. What has happened in-between is that China created wealth and that is what Africa needs to do.More…

• 
  Jamati Online » Columnists

• ‘I Sing of a Well’, the beginning of a beautiful African Trilogy

  Ameyaw Debrah

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:27 pm

   As I watched and enjoyed the new movie written, directed and co-produced by Hollywood documentary film maker, Leila Djansi, it was the element of good storytelling that made the film stand out for me the most. ‘I Sing of a Well’ is the first installment in the trilogy, ‘Legion of Slaves’ which tells the story of slave trade triggered by the director’s experience at a slave site in her village in the Volta Region of Ghana. Soraya being consoled by her younger sister Based on strong research and interactions with traditional orators and historians, ‘Legion of Slaves’ tells the…

• Meet Africa’s Jay-Z, Smalls

  Ameyaw Debrah

  12 Nov 2009 | 7:25 pm

  With 10 mix tapes to his credit, US-based Ghanaian rapper Smalls certainly is perfecting his rapping skills for a gradual emergence on the hip-hop scene. Born Joseph ‘Nakwesi’ Andoh in Worcester, MA, Smalls has been rapping since age 15 when he did his first ‘show’ at an outdoor battle of the bands showcase. Smalls Although the rapper doesn’t have an official album yet he’s been extremely prolific on his 10 mix tapes all with an average of 14 tracks. He has also participated on two underground albums with a group of unknown artists during his school days as well as two live radio…

• Spek Won African Hip Hop brewed in Toronto

  Ameyaw Debrah

  11 Nov 2009 | 7:18 pm

  Spek Won is a multi-talented Canada-based rapper and entrepreneur of Ghanaian origins, who says he is ready to show the world the true meaning of hiplife. And with the creative and amazingly beautiful video for his track, ‘Hiplife’, he may well be on his way to achieving that. Spek Won Born Benjamin Nii Kpani Addy in the city of Toronto, he started writing lyrics as early as age 10 but started performing professionally at about the age of 19. His music which is influenced by a multiplicity of genres is often inspirational and real. He has completed work on his mix album, ‘Preemo…

• Rodney Quarcoo and his love for portraiture

  Ameyaw Debrah

  11 Nov 2009 | 7:17 pm

  Ghanaian photographer, Rodney Quarcoo could be described as a God-fearing humanitarian and entrepreneur who loves life, grinds hard and always wears a picture perfect smile. Although Rodney has no professional training in photography, his passion for photography began with photographs of family and friends and has evolved from a hobby to a profession in which he continues to create a niche for himself especially in the areas of wedding, fashion and portraiture. Rodney Quarcoo Rodney has captured the images of people, places and events across Ghana and would soon take on West Africa, Africa…

• Ibinabo Fiberesima gets 7 years for manslaughter

  Ameyaw Debrah

  10 Nov 2009 | 4:12 pm

  Former beauty queen and popular Nigerian actress, Ibinabo Fiberesima, has been sentenced to seven years imprisonment for manslaughter which she pleaded not guilty. She was alleged to have killed a medical doctor in a road accident last year after what investigators describe as “careless” driving under the influence of alcohol. It was reported that the actress was dragged to court by relatives of the deceased due to her attitude towards the issues.  She was earlier fined by a lower magistrate court to the sum of N100, 000 (about $1,000) which she has almost paid according to the…

• 
  Mara Triangle Blog

• Update from Kamande on Work of Care for the Wild/AKT Scouts

  William

  18 Nov 2009 | 10:42 pm

  Care for the Wild/Anne Kent Taylor Scouts work closely with Mara Conservancy rangers inside the Mara Triangle and also in the areas bordering the reserve. This is an update from Elias Kamande, Field Coordinator:   The team and Mara Conservancy rangers patrolled various places adjacent to the Mara Triangle. Most of these places are still in danger as the poachers are still roaming and killing our wildlife during the night. Dead elephant killed by poachers. The hide & seek game is the order of the day although arrests are still made almost every month. Poachers are still getting new…

• Links We Like

  William

  5 Nov 2009 | 11:39 pm

  Calling all lodge/camp managers; do you regularly test your water? - Lots of useful links from Amanda and Chris with inexpensive ways to test your water and protect your guests. Cattle Crisis on the Narok side of the Reserve and how it affects hyaena behaviour. I'll be interested to see what comments the Hyaena Researchers have. Basecamp Masai Mara wins World's Best Ecotourism Hotel by Skål International And Paula from WildlifeDirect responds to FMC's claims that they're doing everything they can to reduce the negative impact of furadan on East Africa's wildlife. 

• See the Wildebeest Migration in the Mara Triangle... on Google Earth!

  William

  3 Nov 2009 | 12:44 am

  We're in the process of installing tracking devices into our vehicles here at the Conservancy, and as our Land Cruiser arrived at Oloololo Gate I had a quick peek at its progress over on Google Earth. Since I've last been on it seems that Google have updated the satellite image for the top of the Mara Triangle, and you can even see the new toilets that we've constructed over at Oloololo (in the top left hand corner). I also noticed that our grader is parked outside of the rangers quarters, which means that it's just after we had completed grading the roads inside the Triangle and were about…

• Please don't ignore us KWS!

  William

  25 Oct 2009 | 2:08 am

  We mentioned back in early June about the Lion Poisoning on the other side of the reserve and we're pleased to see that Mr Omondi from KWS echoed our sentiments in Thursday's Daily Nation: A total of 10 lions have been killed by herders who have lost their cattle to the large cats. In one case, farmers poisoned a carcass and it left for the lions. It killed not just a lion, but also 300 vultures that ate the carcasses of the cow and the lion. Mr Omondi says the herders should expect to lose some of their animals if they choose to break the law and let them graze in game…

• Feast your eyes and feed the Conservancy.

  William

  9 Oct 2009 | 1:47 am

  Sarah and Andy are back to the UK after another trip to the Mara Triangle and are selling some of their excellent photographs with a whopping £5 per print going to the Mara Conservancy. As you can see, brilliant photos at a brilliant price. Print Only: A4 PRINT ONLY - £17.00 + Delivery A3 PRINT ONLY - £24.00 + Delivery Mounted with Backing Board: A4 with BLACK MOUNT - £22.00 + Delivery A4 with IVORY MOUNT - £22.00 + Delivery A3 with BLACK MOUNT - £30.00 + Delivery A3 with IVORY MOUNT - £30.00 + Delivery What are you waiting for? Purchase your print…

• 
  Nubian Cheetah

• Absolute furnishing limited - African furniture company

  Nii Simmonds

  17 Nov 2009 | 11:46 pm

  From SiteAbsolute Furnishings Limited manufactures a wide range of high quality hotel, office, school; and home furniture as well as home accessories. We have furnished some of the finest homes, hotels and offices in the country. Our beautiful world class furniture is produced in wood, wrought iron, rattan, cane, a mixture of rattan or cane with wrought iron and rattan with wood, massive wood and carved massive wood. All these are expertly crafted and finished in exotic, classic and contemporary designs making our range of furniture the ultimate for both indoors and outdoors.

• Haute - African fashion magazine

  Nii Simmonds

  17 Nov 2009 | 4:26 pm

  HauTe is a 100+ page fashion magazine. It features the works of African designers all around the world, exhibiting a taste for the cultural tempered with an appreciation of the varied degrees of influence by the west in today's fashion.

• Play Made energy - renewable electricity to schools

  Nii Simmonds

  17 Nov 2009 | 4:20 pm

  About PlayMade EnergyPlayMade Energy’s mission is to bring renewable electricity to schools in the developing world through the fun of play. The Energee-Saw is a simple and fun see-saw which generates renewable electricity as a by-product of play. The Energee-Saw is currently in final development following further testing in Malawi during 2009.

• OPIC - Global Technology and Innovation Fund

  Nii Simmonds

  26 Oct 2009 | 10:14 am

  The Overseas Private Investment Corporation ("OPIC") is inviting proposals from qualified private equity fund managers for the formation and management of one or more investment funds (“funds”) that plan to invest in a wide variety of companies or projects that provide access to technologies in the OPIC-eligible countries. OPIC will provide financing ranging between $25 million and $150 million in total capital for each selected fund.

• Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project - award for social innovation in wireless

  Nii Simmonds

  26 Oct 2009 | 10:04 am

  About the Wireless Innovation Project™ The Vodafone Americas Foundation™ designed the Wireless Innovation Project™ as a competition to promote innovation and increase implementation of wireless related technology for a better world. To that end, Vodafone Americas Foundation’s Wireless Innovation Project™ is providing up to $600,000 in awards to support projects of exceptional promise that meet the criteria described in the Eligibility Criteria section. After successful completion of the Project last year, we are excited to launch the second Vodafone Wireless Innovation Project™.

• 
  Sturvs / Hot Sturvs

• Naeto C - Duro ft. YQ

  20 Nov 2009 | 5:31 pm

  mad jam from naeto c and the usual dr frabz ft fast rising yq who seems to be naija's t-pain right now3 Vote(s)

• The price I’m paying as a Public servant by Dora Akunyili

  20 Nov 2009 | 3:49 pm

  The Re-branding Nigeria Campaign is working. The awareness has been created in towns, villages and local communities. The awareness is all over to5 Vote(s)

• Sani Abacha son 'must pay $350m'

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm

  A Swiss court orders the seizure of $350m in assets from the son of Nigeria's ex-ruler Sani Abacha after a 10-year investigation.4 Vote(s)

• OPEC may hike output if price, demand jump —Lukman

  20 Nov 2009 | 1:24 pm

  4 Vote(s)

• NATIONS CUP: Eagles may be grouped with Cameroun, Cote d' Ivoire

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:33 am

  The Super Eagles will not be heading into Friday's African Cup of Nations draw ceremony in Luanda, Angola as one of the favourites for the tournament4 Vote(s)

• 
  Sudan Watch

• SPLM-DC Chairman Lam Akol says that he is ready to run for the GOSS presidency if he is nominated

  Ingrid Jones

  20 Nov 2009 | 10:00 am

  The SPLM-DC has allied itself with seven southern Sudanese political parties in preparation for elections which are scheduled for April 2010.Report by Sudan Radio Service, November 20, 2009:(Cairo, Egypt) - The chairman of the SPLM-DC, Doctor Lam Akol, says that he is ready to run for the GOSS presidency if he is nominated. According to the Sudan Tribune website, the southern Sudan political parties’ alliance announced on Thursday, that they have nominated Akol as a candidate for the southern Sudan presidency. Sudan Radio Service interviewed Dr. Akol from Cairo on Friday. [Dr. Lam Akol]:…

• South Sudan: Speaker of the National Assembly suspended the salaries and allowances of 10 SPLM MPs on Wednesday

  Ingrid Jones

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:54 am

  The SPLM caucus in the National Assembly walked out of the parliament in October, accusing the NCP of willfully delaying the introduction of key CPA legislation.Report by Sudan Radio Service, Friday, November 20, 2009:(Khartoum) - The speaker of the National Assembly, Ahmed Ibrahim El-Tahir, suspended the salaries and allowances of 10 SPLM MPs on Wednesday. The move is seen as a bid to put pressure on the SPLM parliamentary caucus to attend parliament sessions. The SPLM have boycotted the sessions in protest against what they see as the NCP's reluctance to pass key legislation. The SPLM…

• The National Congress Party has won the students' union elections at the University of Khartoum

  Ingrid Jones

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:49 am

  Student elections in the University of Khartoum have been suspended for the past two years.Report by Sudan Radio Service, Friday, November 20, 2009: (Khartoum) - The National Congress Party has won the students' union elections at the University of Khartoum. The chairman of the Students' Union High Elections Committee, Prof. Abubakar Abu Jokh, spoke to Sudan Radio Service on Thursday in Khartoum. [Prof. Abubakar Abu Jokh]: “The final results for the elections of the Khartoum University Students' Union are: the highest number of votes went to Sami Mohamed Hassan Abdul Daiem, who got 5,428…

• Voter registration center opens at Sudanese Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, Nov. 16-27, 2009

  Ingrid Jones

  20 Nov 2009 | 9:42 am

  Report by Sudan Radio Service, Friday, 20 November 2009:(Nairobi) - The voter registration center at the Sudan Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya, has seen low turnouts of people wanting to register since registration began on Tuesday in the Kenyan capital.The Sudanese Embassy became a registration center after a petition was sent to the National Election Commission to allow Sudanese in Kenya and Uganda to participate in the election as well.Mohamed Fadhul Ali is the head of the voter registration committee in Kenya. He spoke to Sudan Radio Service on Friday.[Mohamed Fadhul]: “We opened this center…

• Shooting of South Sudan Minister prompts detachment of local administration (Update 1)

  Ingrid Jones

  20 Nov 2009 | 7:40 am

  Note that news reports at the website of Sudan Radio Service (SRS) have disappeared due to technical problems. Here is an untitled news report, received by email, from SRSThursday, November 19, 2009 (Lainya) - Police are investigating the attack on the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry in the Government of Southern Sudan, Dr. Samson Kwaje, in Lainya County, Central Equatoria state.Doctor Kwaje’s convoy was ambushed on Tuesday by unknown gunmen as he was on his way to Juba.Five people were killed and seven others wounded, including the minister, who was shot in the arm.The Lainya County…

• 
  Congo Watch

• DR Congo: Calls for LRA to face Congo charges

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:43 pm

  Source: Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR)Date: 18 Nov 2009 (via ReliefWeb)DR Congo: Calls for LRA to face Congo chargesCampaigners want ICC to indict Ugandan rebels for crimes they are alleged to have committed in DRC.By Melanie Gouby in the Hague and Gabriel Shabani in Kinshasa (AR No 236, 18-Nov-09)Human rights activists are calling on the International Criminal Court, ICC, to charge the Lord's Resistance Army leaders with a series of brutal crimes they are accused of perpetrating in the Democratic Republic of Congo, DRC.LRA leader Joseph Kony and two others are wanted by the ICC…

• ICC Trust Fund for Victims: Elisabeth Rehn elected to the Board of Directors

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:21 am

  From the Finnish Government's Ministry for Foreign AffairsNovember 18, 2009 14.24Elisabeth Rehn elected to the Board of Directors of the ICC Trust Fund for VictimsElisabeth Rehn has been elected to the Board of Directors of the Trust Fund for Victims within the International Criminal Court. The Board members were elected at the session of the Assembly of States Parties of the International Criminal Court on 18 November in the Hague.States Parties have been grouped into geographical areas, each of which has a representative on the Board of the Trust Fund for Victims. Elisabeth Rehn represents…

• DR Congo: Germany arrests top Rwanda rebels FDLR leader Ignace Murwanashyaka & deputy Straton Musoni

  18 Nov 2009 | 2:40 am

  Ignace Murwanashyaka, the leader of the FDLR rebel group, and his aide Straton Musoni were held on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes.Source: BBC News at 17:52 GMT, Tuesday, 17 November 2009. Copy: Germany arrests top Rwanda rebelsMr Murwanashyaka has lived in Germany for several yearsPolice in Germany have arrested two Rwandan militia leaders on suspicion of crimes committed in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo.Ignace Murwanashyaka, the leader of the FDLR rebel group, and his aide Straton Musoni were held on suspicion of crimes against humanity and war crimes.FDLR…

• AGI: Tony Blair meets with 'visionary leader' Paul Kagame during latest two day visit to Rwanda

  16 Nov 2009 | 11:37 pm

  From The Office of Tony BlairMonday, November 16, 2009:Tony Blair meets with 'visionary leader' Paul Kagame during latest two day visit to RwandaTony Blair hailed President Kagame's visionary leadership as he saw for himself the remarkable pace of Rwandan progress during a two-day visit to the East African country.The founder of the Africa Governance Initiative met with the President and senior officials to discuss ways in which Mr Blair and his team could help Rwanda build the capacity to deliver on the priorities of the Rwandan people, before witnessing examples of Rwandan progress in…

• NEW PUBLICATION: Peace and Security Council Report - November 2009

  14 Nov 2009 | 3:31 am

  Here is a copy of an email receivedFrom: Security Council ReportSubject: Peace & Security Council Report12 November 2009Readers of Security Council Report may be interested to know of the recent launch in Addis Ababa of a similar publication designed to provide monthly information about the work of the AU Peace and Security Council. It is called the "Peace and Security Council Report" (To access the November 2009 edition you can click here). Peace and Security Council Report is produced and published by the Addis Ababa office of the Institute for Security Studies of South Africa. Security…

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  Museke

• Download the revolution (Rocky Dawuni)

  Chale

  20 Nov 2009 | 3:14 am

  Yeah this one goes to those who thought this day would never come To wipe away the musical pollution The playing field keeps levelling I want all my brothers and sisters to say yeah This is conscious music revolution In Ghana, download this In America, download this In Jamaica, download this The whole world, download this Download this, upload this

• Espoir 2000

  Chale

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:47 pm

  Espoir2000 is an Ivorian (Ivorien) Zouglou group composed of Hugues-Patrick (Pat), Sacko OSSOHOU and Valéry Valence THEA. Le groupe fait une entrée fracassante sur le devant de la scène ivoirienne en 1997 avec l'opus ELEPHANT D'AFRIQUE. Comprennent 6titres livré dans 1 zouglou entraînant. Cet opus connaît rapidement un succès. Leur texte hilarant évoquant avec humour et subtilité les met dans les bonnes grâces des mélomanes africains. read more

• Stimu Zimelipiwa

  bongowimbo

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:37 pm

  intro: a city in the house yeah river for life verse 1: ah na make rain na hizi barz ,get ready u ambrella mwanaume halisi mwenye nature, without fella ama big brother kama jay rocafela, hela, e e e e e wanaongea wengi lakini boss ni hela, ukiniletea polisi sio movie ni trela sio jela naingia kwenye mifuko ya hakimu ripoti ya postimotam imeshahukumu kwamba kuchanganya sheria na pesa ndio sumu sumu iliyochukua uhai wa marehem ambao wengi ni maskini na dini zimekuwa perfume injili ya roho imebaki kwenye jukwaa ulizia pesa wakuzime kama taa, ulizia read more

• Sweet mama

  matimuta

  19 Nov 2009 | 8:31 pm

  I am writing this letter to tell you I'm getting better I tried to call you today, I miss you, I'll try and call you later Your sweet love and care can never be compared All the moments with you Swee Mama, I love you every day Sweet Mama, I love you in every way Thank you Mama, for the love you showed me full lyrics coming soon

• Sauce Kid's new video, Na me be fine boy, from debut album, African-American

  Chale

  19 Nov 2009 | 5:41 pm

  Storm Records present, the first video off Sauce Kid’s debut album, “African American”. The Song, “Na Me Be Fine Boy”, was produced by H-Code. The Video was shot by Storm’s own, Bobby Boulders in South Africa a few months ago. The Song is already receiving radio airplay and good reviews. The video features appearances from Sasha, Pincode & Tamarasha. Sauce Kid became popular for the hit song "Yebariba Samboribobo" (a mixtape joint off Remy Ma’s Conceited, produced by Scott Storch) which turned into a national anthem and then a street slang which is now commonly used amongst…

• 
  kenyaimagine feed (main magazines)

• Kenya: Harmonised Draft Constitution 2009

  17 Nov 2009 | 6:17 am

  Published below is the Harmonised Draft of the Kenyan Constitution submitted by the Committee of Experts.  For the next thirty days the Kenyan government invites online public consultation which will be considered in the final draft.  Post comments below or send us your long commentary for publishing on what you find as contentious issues in this draft. Read more...

• Inspirational Quotes

  16 Nov 2009 | 5:00 pm

  Read more...

• Book Review - Oil on the Brain

  15 Nov 2009 | 1:49 am

  Oil on the Brain as a book that provided great insight into the oil industry. I have had it on my list of books to read, and recently picked it up to read during my travels. I have been traveling a lot lately, and I like to read while I travel, so I knocked it out over the past couple of trips I have taken. Read more...

• Enter the Elephant

  15 Nov 2009 | 1:43 am

  In The Happiness Hypothesis , psychology professor Jonathan Haidt compares human brain/behavior to a man riding an elephant. There exists a complex choreography between our newer rational cortex (the 'man'), and our older, more primitive brain structures (the 'elephant'). Read more...

• Homosexuality and the Myth of Choice

  11 Nov 2009 | 12:49 pm

  Arguments that homosexuals do not deserve equal rights to heterosexuals are both misguided and wrong. Kenyan society's discomfort with homosexuals and the recent attention they have been receiving is no justification for codifying discrimination against them into the constitution. Read more...

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  Covalent Global - News & Blog

• What to bring to Kenya

  Jason Higbee

  10 Nov 2009 | 1:43 pm

  Greg with a family in Thika, Kenya In the last post I said that toys for children was definitely something you should bring to Africa because they are in such scarce supply. The point of gifts is not merely a matter of maximizing the utility of the receiver - rather it is, as we have all experienced during the holiday season, to expose the receiver to something they might not otherwise be able to enjoy. Gifts are a personal reflection of those that give. I read a story recently where a former head of the IRC went to see a refugee camp in Burundi. He brought a soccer ball for the kids to play…

• Bring Gifts for Children

  Jason Higbee

  28 Sep 2009 | 6:07 pm

  Handmade fleece pillowcases given to kids in Kenya (photo: Boyznberry) I happened to notice a blog post by an aid worker in Ethiopia that recommended that you NOT bring gifts for kids when you visit him. Rather, he suggests, you should make a donation to Save the Children or another charity working there. I think I understand where he’s coming from. He likely realizes that resources are extremely scarce, for instance the space in your luggage is quite limited, yet the social challenges we face in Africa are tremendous. This makes people want to economize, optimize, and maximize! People…

• Soweto Kibera, upgraded?

  Jason Higbee

  26 Sep 2009 | 11:56 am

  Kibera Soweto, East The Kibera slum is slowly upgrading its housing from mud, dirt, sticks, and rusted tin to ominous concrete. Above is a view of Kibera Soweto we took while visiting last fall. In the skyline you see the houses being constructed by the Government and UN Habitat; below lay the rooftops of the slum residents that are to move into the new houses. The idea is that as they move out and into the new houses it frees up more space for the Government and UN Habitat to build more housing under a program called KENSUP, Kenya Slum Upgrading Program. Ideally, the process continues until…

• Mount Elgon Heals

  Jason Higbee

  15 Sep 2009 | 2:02 pm

  In a previous post I expressed my shock at that lack of media coverage over deaths in Mt. Elgon in favor of covering the latest scandal within the Kenyan Government. Since 2006, hundreds have been killed at Mt. Elgon and Human Rights Watch raised concerns of war crimes. Now it appears the rein of the Sabaot Land Defence Force (SLDF) rebel group is over due to a heavy military presence in the area.  And with this restored peace, the Kenyan media have begun covering the healing process of this war-torn community in their four part series Caves and Skeletons.

• Moving Beyond Black Boxes and Profiles

  Jason Higbee

  9 Jun 2009 | 11:38 am

  Covalent Global is still pushing ahead and facing the problems associated with giving to Africa. Our approach, has not been to combat these problems but rather to acknowledge them and work to adequately address them. For us it is about understanding what we can do, while holding true to what we should do. We are in a better position because of this. One of Covalent’s big efforts is cutting through the black box of the aid system. We want to go beyond online profiles and snap decisions on charitable giving to engage donors with communities and charities that provide vital support. We are…

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  AfricaCan

• Aid and Corruption

  Shanta

  19 Nov 2009 | 6:42 am

  Many of the objections to my blog post, “Another reason why aid to Africa must increase”  centered around corruption.  “I disagree.  Africa needs to get rid of corruption…” said one commentator, while another said, “Aid to African countries must follow country steps in good governance, democracy, fighting corruption, etc.” I think we can agree on the following two facts: There is considerable corruption in Africa.  The recently-released Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index for 2009 finds 10 African countries in…

• There is Always a Solution

  Shanta

  10 Nov 2009 | 6:24 am

  In the face of numerous constraints, there is always a solution! Photo taken by Mahamadou Djibou, in Niamey, Niger.

• Impact of the Global Financial Crisis

  Shanta

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:43 am

  Not a day passes without somebody asking me about the impact of the global financial crisis on Africa's poverty reduction efforts. So I thought I would share this interview I recently did for Deutsche Welle radio. I have also written extensively about what the crisis may mean for Africa on this blog. You can see those entries here.    

• Madagascar - Economic Update: Going Down...

  Noro Andriamihaja

  3 Nov 2009 | 6:34 am

  If recent trends persisted during September, three new developments seem to indicate a deterioration in public finance and economic activities: (i)  the Government borrowed on the domestic financial market (about half of its monthly expenditures) for the first time since the beginning of the crisis; (ii) the exchange rate depreciated compared to the Euro and the USD over the past two weeks (down by 6 and 4% respectively); and (iii) international trade continued to decline (exports in volume, down by 62% in August compared to the same period a year ago). You can see the full analysis of…

• Some (Possibly Heretical) Thoughts on Agriculture

  Shanta

  21 Oct 2009 | 6:22 am

  Since the publication of the 2008 World Development Report, there has been a vigorous discussion in the development community about agriculture; today’s publication of the World Bank’s Agriculture Action Plan is a milestone in that process.  To stimulate further discussion on the subject, here are some thoughts from a garden-variety economist. 1. The oft-quoted statement, “GDP growth originating in agriculture is about four times more effective in raising incomes of extremely poor people than GDP growth originating from other sectors,” is an arithmetical point,…

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  Africa The Good News

• East African bloc to sign common market treaty

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:47 am

  Leaders of the five-member East African Community gathered at the bloc's headquarters Friday to sign a common market treaty to allow free trade, movement and right of residence in the region. The presidents of Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, Tanzania and Uganda will pen the the East Africa Common Market Protocol in the northern Tanzanian town of Arusha at a ceremony coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the EAC's revival. The protocol is expected to come into force in July 2010 when the member states shall have ratified it. Read more...

• Ghana eyes 10% growth in 2010

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:42 am

  Ghana's economy, buoyed by investments in the agricultural and oil sectors, is expected to grow by up to 10% in 2010 compared to 6% this year, the finance minister said Wednesday. Read more...

• Troubled Chad moving to calmer phase: UN official

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:26 am

  Chad, long racked by violence and poverty, seems to be moving into a calmer phase where its energies can be focused on development, the top United Nations official in the central African country said on Wednesday. Read more...

• Senegal: New national airline unveiled

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:27 am

  Senegal has unveiled a new national air transport carrier, according to a report published by the Gulf based Emirates Business. Read more...

• Nigeria signs $1 bln EU pact to fight corruption

  20 Nov 2009 | 2:12 am

  Nigeria signed a 677 million euro pact with the European Union on Thursday aimed at combating corruption and promoting peace in its troubled, oil-producing Niger Delta region. Read more...

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  The Guardian Katine Project

• Sand dams voted best solution in water crisis debate

  Felicity Carus

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:33 am

  Technique developed by the Romans has potential to give up to 3 million people access to clean water in the drylands of Africa, says winnerAn ancient water-saving technique thousands of years old that could save millions of people from drought last night won the ringing endorsement of an audience at the Geographical Society in London.Sand dams, which are constructed out of concrete barriers 1-5m high and backfilled with sand, were voted as the best idea from five different proposals. Each idea had a champion who argued how they would use the virtual prize of $1bn at the Earthwatch debate…

• Activists denounce Uganda's homosexuality bill

  Eliza Anyangwe, Liz Ford

  20 Nov 2009 | 4:30 am

  Uganda news round-up: Anti-homosexuality bill 'will harm country's fight against HIV/Aids'; first lady calls for men to better support their wives through childbirth; the World Cup comes to UgandaA Ugandan government bill that is advocating the death penalty for gay people will hinder the country's fight against HIV/Aids, legal experts and activists warned this week.Under the anti-homosexuality bill, now going through parliament, anyone repeatedly "caught" having sex with someone of the same sex faces the death penalty, while people who touch each other in a "gay way" could be jailed.A clause…

• Work on school latrine to go ahead

  Joseph Malinga

  19 Nov 2009 | 2:02 am

  Attempts to recover the materials to build an Ecosan toilet at Obyarai school, stolen in May, failThe African Medical and Research Foundation (Amref) is to re-allocate funds to complete the construction of an Ecosan latrine at Obyarai primary school in Katine, after efforts to recover stolen building materials failed.The latrine was being constructed as part of the three-year Katine project being implemented by Amref and funded by Guardian readers and Barclays. The project is focusing on five components – education, health, water and sanitation, livelihoods and governance.In May, thieves…

• Queen's speech 2009: international development bill

  Hélène Mulholland

  18 Nov 2009 | 5:02 am

  Enshrines government's commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on aid in lawThe international development spending draft bill will enshrine the government's commitment to spend 0.7% of national income on international development from 2013.The government made the funding pledge at the G8 summit in Gleneagles in 2005. The government hopes that the unprecedented move to bind in law a commitment to future spending may encourage other donor countries to achieve the same target.The Conservative party has also pledged to meet the UN target of spending 0.7% of national income on international…

• What is the point of the world summit on food security?

  Liz Ford

  18 Nov 2009 | 3:41 am

  There may not have been a commitment from delegates at the FAO world summit on food security to substantially increase aid for agriculture, but that wasn't the point, said the head of the IFADAny thoughts that the world summit on food security, held in Rome this week, was a waste of time (and money) in the absence of any extra financial commitment to eradicating hunger, were swiftly pushed to one side by the president of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).Speaking to reporters yesterday, Kanayo Nwanze said the main purpose of the three-day summit, which ends today, was…

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  kaasa

• Bookstore

  kaasa

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:46 am

  I hope you’re all good!  I am, but have been caught up with work and other matters… Sunday night, I leave for sunny tropical climes for a week of not-too-intense work. Not too intense because we (Mr. Belgium and I) have done everything possible to ensure that everything is smooth sailing when we’re on location next week.  I shall pack a bathing suit, just in case there’s time to head to the beach (or at least, hotel pool).  What else…? I’m typing this in the office after having a big breakfast. Every morning now, we get a breakfast spread here at work. I guess even with the…

• A Small Memory…

  kaasa

  10 Nov 2009 | 7:47 pm

  (Music again!)    Hello! As sworn, this week has been tight for me. I went into work at 6am Monday, and today (Tuesday) I was there before 5:30am. But I have been leaving at 5pm on the dot as usual, just because my brain is completely fried after all those hours of work. Mr. Belgium, surprisingly, has made it in too. Usually, he’s terrible about getting into work really early when we both say we’ll do so. But I suppose he doesn’t want to be swamped when we leave for our project, just as I don’t want to be swamped when we get there. Anyway, I said I’d bite the bullet and dive in to…

• The Magic Words

  kaasa

  8 Nov 2009 | 7:21 pm

  Salaams kwa wingi  as they say  Nothing new on my end… Just had a nice, soft and quiet weekend and hope you did too. Friday, I got a package in the mail from my sis. She sent me some clothes and a new pair of shoes that I really like. Though I like getting dressed up and looking good, I do not like to shop, so thank goodness for a big sister who loves to. I was unable to see my ex-coworker (who had the stroke) but I’ll do so tomorrow. — Saturday, I got up extra early and did laundry then we went out to have breakfast (Thabiso and M. spent Friday night here). After breakfast, I…

• Part II – For The Ladies

  kaasa

  5 Nov 2009 | 7:32 pm

  Hey!  I hope you are fine, fine, fine My folks left yesterday and now it’s back to the old routine. I miss them already but I didn’t cry or anything like that at the airport…   I was in a rush and they were like “let’s get on this plane, bye, see you Bubi”. They arrived safe and sound and my sister picked them up at JFK, and we’ll be together again in early December. — The house is quiet but I’m not back in my bedroom yet (where my parents were sleeping). I’m in the other room as I can still ‘feel’ my parents in my room  Nice feeling…

• Very Quick – For The Ladies

  kaasa

  4 Nov 2009 | 6:45 pm

  Someone I know just had a stroke and she’s only 31. I am going to see her in hospital tomorrow. Turns out it was one of the ‘possible side effects’ from her implanted contraceptive. Please women, be careful with that stuff. So many of the contraceptives out there can actually kill you. Sometimes it may seem like the easiest route to have something implanted in you, but then… Gosh, just be super careful. Do your research…, really do your research… Or just embrace celibacy.        

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  Video journalist Africa

• disaster looming refugees in Somaliland

  Ruud Elmendorp @ GMT+3

  16 Nov 2009 | 5:07 am

  10 million needed to help refugees in Somaliland. Scripts and more via VideoJournalist.NL

• new hopes for malaria vaccine

  Ruud Elmendorp @ GMT+3

  10 Nov 2009 | 4:52 am

  Over 400 children in Bamako enrolled in 2-year vaccine trial. Script and more information on VideoJournalist.NL

• Two fastest on planet together

  Ruud Elmendorp @ GMT+3

  3 Nov 2009 | 7:11 am

  Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt adopts cheetah cub in Nairobi. For script and rate: VideoJournalist.NL

• insecticide resistance mosquitoes burkina faso

  Ruud Elmendorp @ GMT+3

  29 Oct 2009 | 6:04 am

  Malaria mosquitoes show resitance against insecticide in bed nets. Government sounds alarm bell. For script and rate: VideoJournalist.NL

• Children's laptop arrived in Kenya

  Ruud Elmendorp @ GMT+3

  26 Sep 2009 | 2:12 am

  Small machine with big mission exciting children in rural Kenya. Scripts and more VideoJournalist.NL

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  Africa Business Source

• Igniting Meaningful Business Partnerships at Africa Finance & Investment Forum 2009

  Making the most of potential business leads at a forum can be daunting.  Delegates at this year’s edition of the Africa Finance & Investment Forum 2009 (AFIF09) in Amsterdam will be guaranteed an opportunity to capitalize on the diverse offerings of all  the  250 high-level delegates in attendance – departing ...

• The Death of Email?

  A few weeks ago, I was watching CNN on the Television when I came across a short segment on the future of email or more specifically, the death of email. Several experts interviewed were of the view that email is definitely on its death bed. Instead, the experts claim that ...

• Michael Joseph

  Michael Joseph is CEO of the most profitable publicly traded company in East Africa, Safaricom Limited.  He has held this portfolio since July 2000 when the company was re-launched as a joint-venture with Telkom Kenya. He has extensive international experience in the implementation and operation of large wireless and wire-line ...

• World Bank Uncovers Major Deficiencies in Africa’s Infrastructure

  An infrastructure study released today finds that Africa has the weakest infrastructure in the world, but ironically Africans in some countries pay twice as much for basic services as people elsewhere.  This study argues that well functioning infrastructure is essential to Africa’s economic performance and that improving inefficiencies and reducing ...

• 3rd Annual South African International Trade and Investment Conference and Exhibition

  South Africa is entering a new stage in its economic development. We are one of the most advanced and dynamic middle-income emerging markets, not only on the African continent, but globally. We are consistently attracting huge net amounts of portfolio capital annually. More significantly, domestic and foreign direct investments are ...

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  Abesha Bunna Bet

• Ethiopian Chef Marcus Samuelsson To Guest Chef State Dinner in the White House

  DrEthiopia

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:44 pm

  chef marcus samuelsson As the White House prepares for next Tuesday’s state dinner honoring Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Politico reports that chef Marcus Samuelsson has been invited to join White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford in the kitchen. Inviting an outside chef into the kitchen comes with a little controversy, Marian Burros writes: The practice of using visiting chefs began in the Clinton administration, but it doesn’t get raves from former chefs. “I would have been very upset if they had done that,” said Henry Haller, who spent 21 years as…

• Ethiopian Jews Celebrate a Festival, Gain Israeli Attention for Their Traditions

  DrEthiopia

  18 Nov 2009 | 11:27 pm

  Ethiopian Jew Soldiers Jerusalem — It looked like a scene straight out of the Bible. The men at the front wore outfits based on those of the Priests of the Ancient Temple of Jerusalem, and sent out over the hills a wail that could be heard several miles away. And indeed, it was an emulation of a biblical scene. A crowd of about 10,000 people gathered on November 16 to celebrate Sigd, a festival in which Ethiopian Jews gather on high ground to mimic an episode that was recorded in the Book of Nehemiah — the recommitment of the Israelites to Torah in the fifth century BCE, upon their return…

• Ethiopian siblings living in Stillwater are blossoming on the field and in the classroom

  DrEthiopia

  17 Nov 2009 | 10:18 pm

  Tabor Wolde stepped up — the fifth kicker in a shootout for Mahtomedi High School in the Class A Minnesota soccer semi-finals earlier this month — and confidently struck the ball low and fast, past the goalkeeper to give his team a 5-4 shootout victory. His team went on to win the state championship, where he scored another goal. Seven years ago, he didn’t know the Minnesota High School soccer tournament existed. At just 10 years old, Wolde, his sister Addis, then 12, and their mother fled Ethiopia to the United States. They escaped in the shadow of the death of their…

• Secrets of the Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs Revealed in the Tigrigna and Amarigna Languages

  DrEthiopia

  14 Nov 2009 | 1:52 am

  Until now, it has not been possible to accurately speak the language written in ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. What we have known up to now about the meanings, spellings, and pronunciations of the ancient words have merely been estimates, arrived through the best attempts of 19th and 20th century Egyptologists. But now, with the release of the new book “Amarigna & Tigrigna Qal Hieroglyphs for Beginners,” (http://books.ancientgebts.org), we can learn how to accurately read, understand, and speak the language most often regarded as the world’s first written language, the…

• Ethiopia rebels claim massive counter-offensive

  DrEthiopia

  14 Nov 2009 | 1:44 am

  Ethiopian rebels have launched a wide offensive in the southeastern Somali ethnic Ogaden region and recaptured seven towns from government forces, they claimed Saturday in a statement. The Ogaden National Liberation Front (ONLF) said in a statement received by AFP that it had launched a broad offensive on several fronts on November 10. “The operation involved thousands of ONLF troops and resulted in two days of heavy fighting. A significant number of Ethiopian troops have been killed and their military hardware captured or destroyed,” it said. The ONLF said its forces entered the…