DIGITAL AFRICA: AFRICA IS BORN IN ME

Google Sponsors Kiswahili Wikipedia Challenge

2009-11-17T04:19:00.001-08:00

What is Wikipedia Kiswahili 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.

Winners of the prizes will be determined by a point system taking into consideration the number of articles submitted and the quality of the articles. We will also award prizes to the second place participants and runners up.

Prizes includes laptops, mobile phones, prepaid internet access modems, Google T-shirts, and more. Participants will also receive certificate of participation.

Read full details here.

PamojaConnect: Connecting the web, SMS, twitter, Googla Map for Villagers in Africa

2009-03-13T13:02:00.000-07:00

PamojaConnect (Pamoja means together in Kiswahili) is a new project intending to connect the web and SMS:

It connects on the web and through mobile-sms allowing everyone to be part of the conversation. One of the cool things is that with just a low-end mobile phone someone in a remote village I can send a text message to PamojaConnect. For instance, that message could tell about the work their Self-Help Group is doing to improve their native habitat — telling how it brings jobs to uneducated youth and helps prevent flooding in the area and improves the crops.

Now someone in the who lives in a remote village in Kenya has never used a computer or the internet, but they have access to a mobile phone. With PamojaConnect that message is integrated as if they used a computer. It is posted live to Pamoja where it shows up on the Google Map and is broadcast on Twitter. The message is now public and people from all over can respond.

PamojaConnect blog.

Legal and Policy Framework for Information Society In West Africa

2009-03-12T08:48:00.000-07:00

I am attending a workshop on Legal and Policy Framework For Information Society in West Africa in Saly, Dakar . There is a blog for the workshop. Kwami of PenPlusBytes (Ghana) is twittering.

African Blogs Are Not Only About Politics...

2009-03-11T05:05:00.000-07:00

So African blogs are not only about politics and technology. Read about the Literary Blogren in Uganda:

Uganda's bloggers are increasingly using their blogs as forums for literary expression, and online poems, short stories and multi-part novellas are becoming increasingly popular.

And Kenyan poet and artist bloggers:

The need to start blogs, as most poet bloggers shared with me, was mainly due to the fact that most, if not all, could not get any publishing house willing to publishing their works. This frustration and the demand by the now growing number of fans, led these poets to venture into blogging as a way of publishing their poetry.

Photos From Waxal Award Ceremony

2009-03-11T02:26:00.000-07:00

Waxal Award ceremony took place March 9, 2009 at Just4U restaurant in Dakar, Senegal. Check this photo of the winners and Ndo Kanaute performing during the ceremony.

Waxal: Blogging African Award For Journalists

2009-03-11T02:20:00.000-07:00

Here are the winners of the award...

Waxal (pronounced WA-HAL), which means “speak” in Wolof, captures the essence of the evolution of the worlwide web as a platform for conversation and for raising marginalized voices. The first edition of the award recognizes the use of new media by professional journalists in Africa and by African media organizations working to promote the production of alternative information and citizen expression.

Digital Citizen Indaba and Highway Africa

2007-09-01T13:11:00.000-07:00

Digital Citizen Indaba (where I will deliver the keynote) and Highway Africa coming up in South Africa.

See you there!

TEDGlobal 2007 Arusha, Tanzania

2007-06-05T07:15:00.000-07:00

I am in Arusha, Tanzania attending TEDGlobal 2007. I am liveblogging in Kiswahili at Jikomboe. For english speakers, read Ethan Zuckerman, the king of liveblogging.

Reuters Newsmakers: Dealing with Darfur - what is at stake?

2007-05-20T17:10:00.000-07:00

Dealing with Darfur - what is at stake?, a Reuters Newsmakers event - May 24, 2007.
More information soon.

Congo: Conservation 2.0

2007-05-20T11:37:00.000-07:00

Conservation 2.0 in Virunga National Park (Democratic Republic of Congo), cross-posted at Global Voices Online.

African Signals: Technology Podcast

2007-05-20T11:35:00.000-07:00

African Signals: Broadcasting Technology News From Africa.

Vote for Kabissa and The People, Yes

2007-04-15T15:53:00.000-07:00

With one day to go (deadline is April 15th), you still have a chance to vote for Netsquared's Technology Innovation Fund. Please, vote for Kabissa and The People, Yes. Go here. See Kabissa and The People, Yes project proposals.

Here is a list of all projects.

Note: I am a board member of The People, Yes.

Memeza: Zambia's "Digg"

2007-04-08T13:07:00.000-07:00

First there was Digg. Then, South Africa came up with Muti.
Now, Zambia comes with Memeza.

African Path: Weaving Tales of Africa's Past, Present and Future

2007-04-06T15:59:00.000-07:00

The interview I did with Joshua Wanyama, the co-founder of African Path for Global Voices Online, African Path: Weaving Tales of Africa's Past, Present and Future.

New Aggregators Out of Africa: Amatomu + Afrigator

2007-04-06T15:42:00.000-07:00

Two new aggegators have arrived in the African blogosphere: Amatomu (South Africa) and Afrigator (Africa).
Read Ethan Zuckerman's piece, The Rise of the African Aggregator.

* Other African aggregators: BlogAfrica, KenyaUnlimited, NigerianBloggers, African Women Blogs, and Mashada,

South Africa's "Craigslist"

2007-01-26T11:01:00.000-08:00

First we had South Africa's "Digg," Muti. Now we have South Africa's "Craigslist," YouPost.

South African Marketing Podcast

2007-01-08T02:06:00.000-08:00

Amplitude is a new South African marketing podcast by Mike Stopforth and Dave Duarte. Check it out.

African Path: African Blog and News Aggregator

2007-01-07T16:58:00.000-08:00

African Path is an interesting project by Joshua Wanyama and his team (Spectrum Media). It is an interactive community blog and news aggregator focusing on Africa.

The Five Things Meme!

2007-01-03T01:51:00.000-08:00

There is a meme going on on about "five things people don't know about me." My friend Ethan tagged me last year (well, December 29th, 2006...that was last year, right?). I tried to appeal so that he would drop my name. It is not easy to think of five things that people don't know about me (if they are not known, then they were not meant to be known). But since my appeal failed, I have to reveal five, and only five, things about me.

Here we go:
1. When I was in primary school (what American would call elementary school), my brother took me to the town library in Moshi, Tanzania and had me registered. Before that day, I did not know that there are "buildings full of books" for people to read for free. I loved reading. After discovering the joy of being inside a library as opposed to being in a classroom (where the learning structure was very rigid, centralized, and there was canning, too), I stopped going to school. In other words, I dropped out of school. I would put on my school uniform every morning as if I was going to school and, without my mother's knowledge, I would go to the library, stay there until kids get out of school. I would then go home. And do the same the next day. And the next day. It continued for a while until one of my relatives told his mother, who told my mother. She took me to school the next day and guess what happened...I was canned really good in front of the whole class!

2. The second website I ever visited was a porn site...at a Tanzanian government Minister's house! The first was one was Hotmail (to set up my first email address). I guess this (what I saw on the porn site that day and later on) is what made me a neo-luddite for a while before becoming a semi neo-luddite. I left the camp completely after I met Dr. Rubbin Patterson and Dr. Abdul Alkalimat (ended up being the editorial assistant for the journal, Perspectives on Global Development and Technology, wrote a thesis on political use of ICTs in Tanzania and got addicted to blogging).

3. I have a first-hand experience of soccer and juju in Africa. Our neighborhood soccer team had a critical match with a team that we all feared. We decided to consult a famous traditional healer for help. He promised to help us win with his muti (at a fee, of course). Since I was the goalkeeper, most of the rituals were done on me! The results of the match? Do you really want to know? We got beaten badly! Until this day, whenever I meet him (the “healer”), we look at each other and smile! By the way, this was long, long time ago.

4. When I was going to college at the University of Dar Es Salaam, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, I had a sticker on my door, which said: the future president. It was not a joke. I plan on becoming the first dreadlocked president in the world. Gilberto Gil has beaten me already as the first dreadlocked minister in the world (as far as I know). And Gwisai Munyaradzi, probably the first dreadlocked Member of Parliament. So, I am heading for the presidency. And, excuse me while I "flash" my dreads at the Dis-United United Nations. The day I become the president might be the beginning of a new concept, open-source presidency! But the dreadlock part is not the main/primary motivation for my presidential ambition. I am saving this part until I officially launch my campaign. So, if you want to know or meet me, you better do it now before it is too late.

5. I am a disciple of Harry Houdini. The last time I pulled a trick was two days ago. I did to my son for the first time since he is now old enough to get it. I can make myself disappear in front of your eyes just like that!

I would like to know five things nobody knows from Jill, Preetam Rai, Sean Coon, Daudi, and Kameelah.

International Conference: eLearning Africa 2007

2007-01-01T15:06:00.000-08:00

eLearning Africa 2007, the second International Conference on ICT for Development, Education and Training, will take place from May 28 to 30, 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya under the Patronage of the Kenyan Minister for Education, the Hon. Prof. George Saitoti.

South African Online Industry Summit 2007

2006-12-26T06:00:00.000-08:00

The South African Online Industry Summit is next February, 2007: The Online Industry Summit is a platform for industry leaders across Southern Africa to exchange views about the state of online and its developments. Different sectors have now realised the power of doing business online. With more of all media consumption shifting to one it is vital that you engage your customers through the web channel. While search and e-mail have often led the way brands are beginning to recognise the importance of on-line advertising in the digital mix and its effect on buying behaviour, online and off.

Kenyans United: Online Videos

2006-12-26T05:08:00.000-08:00

Kenyans United "enables Kenyans to watch videos, look at pictures, op-in to a SMS service which allows other Kenyans and businesses to deliver their news more quickly and easily. However, the main goal of the website is to bring Kenyans from all over the world closer and allow them to communicate with ease."

Lusaka Sunrise: A Documentary

2006-12-24T01:45:00.000-08:00

Lusaka Sunrise is a documentary by Smooth Feather Productions about the power of soccer in the fight against HIV-AIDS.

Fair-Trade Handicrafts From Tanzania

2006-12-23T02:15:00.000-08:00

The Amias Project specializes in hand-made, fair-trade accessories inspired by traditional Barabaig fashions.

Speakers at TEDGlobal in Tanzania next year

2006-12-02T04:00:00.000-08:00

The names of amazing speakers for the conference, TEDGLOBAL "Africa: the next chapter", have been released (including a Kenyan blogger, Kenyan Pundit). Take a look....

The conference is taking place in Arusha, Tanzania, June 4-7, 2007.

Political Online Games From South Africa

2006-11-24T03:04:00.000-08:00

Play these games to Extradite Mugabe, Save the World with "Peace of Shit," Help Thabo Mbeki Save the African Renaissance, etc.

Tech4Africa 07: A web and technology conference

2006-11-24T02:37:00.000-08:00

Do you think there is a need for a web and technology conference in Southern Africa? Your suggestions are welcome for Tech4Africa 07.

CanTV Project in Mali

2006-11-23T03:51:00.000-08:00

Cross-posted at Pop!Tech blog.

Swahili computer game

2006-11-05T19:00:00.000-08:00

UNICEF has released a Swahili computer game, Ungefanyaje?, to fight HIV/Aids in Africa.

Open Source African Architecture

2006-10-27T03:39:00.000-07:00

Cross-posted at Pop!Tech blog.

Globall Voices Delhi 2006

2006-10-27T03:30:00.000-07:00

Join Global Voices in Delhi! Here for more information.

Umeme Jua and solar energy in Tanzania

2006-10-27T03:26:00.000-07:00

Umeme Jua aims to make solar power affordable to customers in Tanzania, especially to the rural households and businesses.

*Umeme is Swahili word for electricity
*Jua is the Sun in Swahili

Nobody should have nucleur weapons

2006-09-19T13:44:00.000-07:00

Ted Turner, speaking at this event: The only solution for the threat of nucleur weapons in the world is:
nobody should have them!

Has the UN got the muscle to make this happen? That's the question.

Dis-United United Nations

2006-09-19T00:32:00.000-07:00

Whenever I hear discussions about UN reform, I immediately start singing Fela Kuti’s song, Beasts of No Nation. Beasts of No Nation is the first song Fela wrote after he was released from prison in Nigeria in 1986. This song speaks to me about what this organization really is. In his own words, a Dis-United United Nations.

Will they listen? Perhaps as they did in Rwanda! And now in Darfur. And many more other places. You know what I mean.

After Fela came out of prison, many people wanted him to sing about life in prison. He decided, instead, to sing about the outside world where there are “animals who talk like human beings” (at UN conferences)! The outside world, he sings; while accompanied by hypnotic drums, guitars, horns, etc, is a crazy world.

This is what he says (the original song is in Nigerian Pidgin) about the United Nations and our world leaders “who hold meeting in de place dem call United Nations”:

Many leaders as you see them are in disguise
Animals in human skin
Animal puts on a tie
Animal wears agbada
Animal puts on a suit

These leaders in disguise
They hold meetings everywhere, they reach America
They call the place the United Nations
Hear oh another animal talk

What is united inside United Nations?
Who and who is united for United Nations?
There is no unity between Thatcher and Argentina
There is no unity between Reagan and Libya
Israel versus Lebanon
Iran versus Iraq
East West block versus West block East
Dis-United United Nations
One veto vote isequal to 92 (Or more)
What kind of sense is that, it is animal sense!
---

Meditate on Fela's words. And follow the conversation.

UN/Reuters/Global Voices: Will They Listen?

2006-09-18T22:51:00.000-07:00

On Tuesday, September 19, 2006, Reuters political news editor, Paul Holmes, will discuss with U.N.’s largest private donor, Ted Turner, among other things, UN reform and the media world. This is part of Newsmakers, a series of Reuters events. About 10 years ago, Turner donated $ 1 billion for United Nations programs. Global Voices will participate in the event by sharing your views with Ted Turner. More information about the event, which will be webcast live online, can be found here and here.

Global Voices: grand prize winner for excellence and innovation

2006-09-18T21:27:00.000-07:00

Global Voices receives the Grand Prize for excellence and innovation in journalism (so blogging is journalism, right?) at the Knight-Batten Awards for Innovations in Journalism. What a joy! Read a detailed post at Global Voices.

Last year, Global Voices won a Best of Blog Award.

Laws of Kenya Online

2006-09-11T04:07:00.000-07:00

Browse the laws of Kenya for free.

Wikimania + Afrophonewikis

2006-08-17T03:50:00.000-07:00

If you are interested in Wikipedias in African languages, you should join AfrophoneWikis. AfrophoneWikis is a discussion group on developing Wikipedias in African languages. I am involved with Swahili Wikipedia, which, as I am writing this, has over 1,051 articles!

I recently attended Wikimania conference in Boston. Ethan has written a very insightful article about critical issues and questions that came out of the conference. My posts about the conference are in Kiswahili.

African languages and Wikipedia

2006-07-30T06:07:00.000-07:00

Here is a list of Wikipedia in African languages and languages spoken in Africa (thanks Don!):

Swahili http://sw.wikipedia.org/
Arabic http://ar.wikipedia.org/
Afrikaans http://af.wiktionary.org/
Amharic http://am.wikipedia.org/
Wolof http://wo.wikipedia.org/
Lingala http://ln.wikipedia.org/
Malagasy http://mg.wikipedia.org/
Kongo http://kg.wikipedia.org/
Bambara http://bm.wikipedia.org/
Zulu http://zu.wikipedia.org/
Yoruba http://yo.wikipedia.org/
Shona http://sn.wikipedia.org/
Somali http://so.wikipedia.org/
Xhosa http://xh.wikipedia.org/
Kinyarwanda http://rw.wikipedia.org/
Setswana http://tn.wikipedia.org/
Tumbuka http://tum.wikipedia.org/
Twi http://tw.wikipedia.org/
Peul http://ff.wikipedia.org/
Kirundi http://rn.wikipedia.org/
Igbo http://ig.wikipedia.org/
Hausa http://ha.wikipedia.org/
Afar http://aa.wikipedia.org/
Oromo http://om.wikipedia.org/
Sango http://sg.wikipedia.org/
Tsonga http://ts.wikipedia.org/
Kikuyu http://ki.wikipedia.org/
Swati http://ss.wikipedia.org/
Chewa / Nyanja http://ny.wikipedia.org/
Ndonga http://ng.wikipedia.org/
Herero http://hz.wikipedia.org/
Luganda http://lg.wikipedia.org/
Venda http://ve.wikipedia.org/
Kuanyama http://kj.wikipedia.org/
Tigrinya http://ti.wikipedia.org/
Akan http://ak.wikipedia.org/
Ewe http://ee.wikipedia.org/
Kanuri http://kr.wikipedia.org/

How to Help Technology Help African Entrepreneurs?

2006-07-16T05:37:00.000-07:00

Christine Bowers has brought to my attention an online discussion taking place: How to Help Technology Help African Entrepreneurs?

Use your computer to fight African Humanitarian causes

2006-07-15T15:15:00.000-07:00

AFRICA@home is a website for volunteer computing projects which allow your computer to contribute to African humanitarian causes.

As part of this project, volunteer computing is used to fight malaria in Africa. More...

ICT Africa 2006

2006-05-08T00:14:00.000-07:00

In case you are wondering...I was here.
---
Now, mark your calendar: ICT Africa 2006.

Global Voices Is Hiring!

2005-12-03T12:06:00.000-08:00

Global Voices is hiring a managing editor.

Bloggers who covered WSIS in Tunisia

2005-11-19T13:40:00.000-08:00

After a long week working on the details of the project I am leading to write a people's constitution in Tanzania using simple social software, I have spent the day reading informative posts from bloggers who attended the WSIS in Tunisia. Here are some of them: Andy, Ethan, WSIS blogs, i-witness (PANOS), APC blog, Civiblog, Rebecca, and ICANN Watch.

WSIS: Speakers at Expression Under Repression

2005-11-19T13:16:00.000-08:00

A panel entitled "Expression Under Repression" was hosted by Hivos and organized by Global Voices during the WSIS summit in Tunisia. Read Ethan's posts about the panel: the opening remarks, Taurai Maduna (from Kubatana), Nart Villeneuve (from Citizen Lab), and Isaac Mao.

WSIS: Hossein on Iranian Bloggers

2005-11-19T12:19:00.000-08:00

Ethan writing from Tunisia: Hossein Derakshan at Expression Under Repression

Vote for Global Voices: Deadline November 20

2005-11-19T11:56:00.000-08:00

Vote for Global Voices for the best English Language blog in the Best of Blogs Awards. The link to where you can cast your vote is here.

The State of Open Source in Africa

2005-11-06T07:33:00.000-08:00

Black Looks has a detailed post on the state of open source software in Africa. Anna, you have to read it!

Kiswahili/Tanzanian bloggers: Cross-posted at Global Voices

2005-11-01T02:21:00.000-08:00

Cross-posted at Global Voices weblog:
Kiswahili bloggers and Latest Voices From Tanzanian Blogosphere.

Somebody's got to help me...

2005-11-01T01:54:00.000-08:00

In my culture, when somebody writes about you like this, people will come running to help you with carrying your head!

Africa in Camden, Maine

2005-11-01T01:53:00.000-08:00

Ethan has written an excellent summary of the sunday morning session at Pop!Tech, which featured 10 young African innovators.

Congratulations Anna and all Open Cafe folks

2005-11-01T01:32:00.000-08:00

Open Cafe celebrated its first birthday on 21 October. One year of building open source communities in Africa. Check out their art initiative, ArtMarketOnline. And their Szavanna blog and OpenCafe blog.

Pop!Tech Conference

2005-10-22T08:12:00.000-07:00

I have been live blogging in Kiswahili the Pop!Tech conference and havent been able to do anything on this blog. However, those who dont speak Kiswahili can follow the conference on Ethan's blog. Yes, and Ory (Kenyan Pundit) is also blogging in English.

Peter Diamandis: Ndege za Binafsi za Kwenda Sayari za Mbali

2005-10-20T13:35:00.000-07:00

This is what happens sometimes when you have more than one blog. I wrote the post below for my primary blog, Jikomboe, but made a mistake of posting it here!

************************************************

Peter Diamandis anaongea dakika hii ninayoandika hapa. Huyu bwana kampuni yake inajihusisha na utengenezaji wa ndege za kibiashara za kibinafsi za kurusha watalii kwenda sayari za mbali. Mwaka 2001 Dennis Tito alikuwa ndio mtalii wa kwanza wa sayari za mbali. Safari za aina zinaelezewa kirefu katika kamusi elezo ya kiingereza. Bonyeza hapa.

Pop!Tech Conference - Camden, Maine

2005-10-20T13:15:00.000-07:00

I am in Camden, Maine attending this year's Pop!Tech conference as one of the young African leaders participating in this year's conference. I will mostly blog on primary blogging space, Jikomboe, in Kiswahili. Ethan and Ory are blogging in English...in case you dont speak Kiswahili!

Jimmy Wales of Wikipedia, Hoder...

2005-10-08T06:11:00.000-07:00

Had a good conversation with Jimmy Wales about Kiswahili Wikipedia. I have just written about it on my Kiswahili blog. I have to go to my first session this morning. Ruby Sinreich of Lotus Media is talking about using the web creatively for political activism.

We have just learned that Hoder was not allowed to enter the country. He was going to lead a session later today on International Community and Blogging.

ConvergeSouth: evening events

2005-10-07T15:21:00.000-07:00

As part of the ConvergeSouth evening events, David and Jinni Hoggard have invited conference attendees to their house for barbecue...and that's where I am heading to right now. You can check out ConvergeSouth technorati links. Tommorow I will be working with an intern from Somalia, Warsame Guled, a second year print journalism major at A and T. I guess I may ask him to do some posts here while I am concentrating on my primary blog, Jikomboe. I have to go. After barbecue we have the choice of going to any of these venues ( free for conference participants).

ConvergeSouth Going On...

2005-10-07T08:32:00.000-07:00

ConvergeSouth conference is going on right now. I attended a wonderful session led by Sue Polinsky and Ed Cone. I have a detailed post here (yes, in Kiswahili!). Also a post in Kiswahili about We Media conference.

Ben Ali, Fock! Ben Ali, Yezzi!

2005-10-04T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ben Ali, enough is enough. More...

Blogging in Gikuyu

2005-10-02T10:52:00.000-07:00

A Kenyan poet and PhD student in the US, Gatua Wa Mbugwa, has started a blog in Gikuyu. My friend Gatua released a poetry CD in Gikuyu, Maitu ni Ma Itu (Our Mother is Our Truth), early this year.

Globalization and Democracy: Helsinki Conference

2005-10-02T10:50:00.000-07:00

Cross-posted at Global Voices.

We Media Conference - October 5, 2005

2005-10-02T09:42:00.000-07:00

As a result of a fellowship from the Media Center, I will blog the "We Media: Behold the Power of Us" conference, which will take place next week wednesday ( October 5, 2005) at the headquarters of the Associated Press in New York. The conference is about collaborations, collective intelligence, and participatory media. Here is the full program: WeMedia

Kiswahili Wikipedia

2005-09-28T10:28:00.000-07:00

Kiswahili wikipedia needs your help in case you speak Kiswahili. Find out about what you can do to improve it.

Breaking Silence: Updating Kiswahili blog

2005-09-27T06:16:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: The transcript of the IRC chat is here.
*****************************************************************************

I am currently updating my Kiswahili blog.

Do not forget that the Internet chat with Reporters Withouth Border Internet director, Julien Pain about the Handbook for Bloggers and Cyberdissents is today. More information...

Helsinki conference ended today

2005-09-09T07:43:00.000-07:00

The Helsinki Process on Globalisation and Democracy was initiated in 2000 by the Finnish and Tanzanian governments to address critical issues relating to globalization and democracy such as health, security, small arms, corruption. The Helsinki Process seeks to strengthen North-South cooperation and encourage a multi-stakeholder networking involving labour unions, academic institutions, civil society, private sector, media, and governments. The ultimate goal of this conference was to build commitment for the implementation of of neccessary steps towards eradicating poverty.

The conference ended today at with concluding remarks by co-Chairs of the Helsinki Process
and commitments to change.

Tanzanian President

2005-09-09T03:31:00.000-07:00

Tanzanian president, Benjamin Mkapa, speaking at Finlandia Hall, Helsinki, yesterday.

press conference yesterday

2005-09-09T03:27:00.000-07:00

There are 2 bullets for every person in the world

2005-09-09T03:09:00.000-07:00

"Small arms are weapons of mass destruction. They kill half a million people every year." "There are 2 bullets for all of us in the world today."

"In order to achieve the millennium development goals, development has to be understood in the context of right and not aid or charity."

- Irene Khan, Secretary-General of the Amnesty International

"I am an oxymoron because I am a prince who is promoting civil society."

"Globalization debate should focus on the creation of universal moral majority."

- His Royal Highness EL Hassan Bin Talal, the president of the Club of Rome.

Pastoralism is no longer viable in Africa

2005-09-09T01:38:00.000-07:00

"Pastoralism is no longer viable in Africa. Conflicts in Somalia, Northern Kenya, even Darfur, are to some extent related to the fact that pastoralism as an economic model is not viable. The Maasai in Tanzania are very peaceful that is why there hasn't been intense conflicts between farmers and the Maasai...they have abandoned pastoralism as a way of life to become security guards in urban centers in Tanzania."

"There is an assumption in the developing world, particularly in Africa, that moving to urban centers is a neccessary step if one needs to succeed..."

"For Africa to prevail, it need to prevail against two major problems: HIV/AIDS and chaotic organization of political systems."
- Mrs. Anna Kajumulo Tibaijuka, the Executive Director of UN-HABITAT.

Why talk?

2005-09-08T12:01:00.000-07:00

I am introducing a guest blogger from Malaysia, Vkii. Vkii is the editor of the Malaysian online newspaper, Malysiakini.
*******************************************************************************

Hi! I´m Vkii and I am from Malaysia. I know Macha by reputation only previously but here in Helsinki I have met him finally. If you ask me - cool dude with cool principles.

The Helsinki Conference is all about talking. But believe me, here the talk serves a purpose. You have to talk FIRST. Then only can u sort out your differences. And that is what the world is about. Differences.

So let´s talk about them. Let´s meet. It is the first step. The whole problem may not be solved just by talking with each other but at least we will know how the others FEEL. And that is the bridge that will take us a step closer to an answer.

Let`s recognise that there are a lot of us in this world and each and every one has a right to be here. There is going to be friction (it is inevitable. we`re humans) but that is not insurmountable.

Know that we can work together, know that we can sort out differences. know that all can be satisfied. Know also that this can be achieved.

Have first faith in the talk.

Tanzania's first photoblogger

2005-09-08T11:21:00.000-07:00

One of my memorable moments today was when Muhiddin Issa Michuzi, Tanzanias leading photojournalist, decided to enter the blogosphere. On this photo I am "officially" welcoming him to the Tanzanian blogosphere. Another journalist, Charles Nzo, is seriously working on his blog right now here in Helsinki.

What is the difference between Bono and God?

2005-09-08T09:18:00.000-07:00

The former Irish president, Mary Robinson, cracked this joke: The difference between God and Bono is that God does not think that he is Bono!

MARY ROBINSON AT THE HELSINKI CONFERENCE

2005-09-08T08:42:00.000-07:00

Earlier today, Mary Robinson, the former Irish president of Ireland (her Irish name is Máire Bhean Mhic Róibín), and the Director of Ethical Globalization Iniative, said that the world leaders have a very serious moral obligation to ensure that poverty is tackled, not with wordy reports but concrete actions.

Speaking during the plenary session on the Helsinki Process Outcome and the Way Forward at the Helsinki Conference 2005, she said, "The world is not short of good report or good ideas. There is a sense of frustration about these reports, we don’t get to the stage of implementation."

What makes the Helsinki Process a unique iniative, she observed, is its inclusive approach, which emphasizes the role of a vast range of stakeholders such as trade unions, academic institutions, governments, civil society, the media, private sector, etc., and its commitment to putting human rights and dignity at the center of the globalization debate.

**Photo: Mary Robinson speaking to reporters this afternoon.

Photo by Muhidin Issa Michuzi.

This is Finland

2005-09-08T06:05:00.000-07:00

This is my second day in Helsinki. I am not planning to say anything related to what president Chirac said in July this year about Finish food.

Finland is a very interesting country. It is a country where an epic poem led to a succesful independence movement. I remember attending a moving theatrical performance of Kalevala by Parapanda Theatre Lab at the National Museum in Tanzania in 2000. The building where the conference sessions are taking place, Finlandia Hall, was designed by the famous Finish architect, Alvar Aalto.

Finland, which gave Nokia to the world, is the least corrupt country in the world according the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index.

It is also the the most Globally Competetive country in the world according to the World Economic Competetiveness Index.

Despite Finland being one of the most wired nation in the world, blogging hasnt become popular yet. The Finish world for blog is verkkopäiväkrija. One of the leading bloggers in Finland is an America IT professional.

TANZANIAN DELEGATION AT THE CONFERENCE

2005-09-08T03:54:00.000-07:00

Tanzanians attending the Helsinki Conference 2005.

* Photo by Muhidin Issa Michuzi.

Michuzi, a leading photojournalist with the Daily News in Tanzania, started photoblogging today...my latest disciple!

MKAPA AND HALONEN SPEAKING IN HELSINKI

2005-09-08T01:25:00.000-07:00

Benjamin Mkapa, the outgoing Tanzanian president and Tarja Halonen, the Finish president speaking this morning during the plenary session, Implementing Commitments: Mobilising for Change. They reiterated the fact that the current global economic and social structure requires massive readjustment. They emphasized that The Helsinki Process is a step towards building a multi-stake holder approach to addressing poverty in the world.

**Photo by Muhidin Issa Michuzi.

Are Africans so poor?

2005-09-08T00:41:00.000-07:00

During the discussion on women, globalization, and economy yesterday, Mama Maria Shaba, the chairwoman of Tanzania Association of Non-Governmental Organizations, asked participants to redefine poverty. She argued that African have been told that they are poor for so long that they end up believing to be poor while they are neccesarily not poor.

She asked, "If we are so poor why do western multinationals so busy investing on the continent? If we are so poor that we cannot even pay back our debt, why do western nations and banking institutions keep on lending us?"

Helsinki Conference Live Webcast

2005-09-07T07:13:00.000-07:00

I am in Helsinki already for the Helsinki Conference 2005. I missed the Global Media Workshop. But had a good conversation with the editor of the Malaysian online newspaper, Malaysiakini, S, Vicknesan.

I am still trying to figure out the conference schedule, rooms, etc, and to locate people that I want to interview. There is a live webcast of the conference.

There a lots of participants from Tanzania...which is good for me. There is a feeling I miss back in the US from being away from Kiswahili speakers....I have been speaking Kiswahili non-stop. I have to get ready for the reception later this evening. I have posted a longer piece on my Kiswahili blog. I will probably write a longer one today for this blog after the reception or tommorow.

Blogging Helsinki Conference 2005

2005-09-04T21:14:00.000-07:00

I was supposed to be leaving tommorow for Finland. But since my passport has not been delivered, and tommorow being a public holiday (it will be delivered tuesday morning), I will leave on Tuesday. I am going to attend the Helsinki Conference 2005, which is a result of a joint initiative between the governments of Tanzania and Finland addressing issues of democracy and globalization. The first conference was in 2002.

Lots of activities related to the general theme of the conference have been taking place. For example, a number of organizations have arranged various events in Helsinki around the theme: Democratising Globally. Also, there is a Youth Conference.

As part of the Helsinki process, civil society actors from both the North and South are brought together to tackle the negative impacts of globalization through a participatory mechanism called the Citizens' Global Platform.

Take a look a the list of speakers and the conference program.

I will report on the conference and other related activities on this blog, my primary blog (in Kiswahili), Jikomboe, and also Global Voices weblog.

Reinforcing Journalism in the Information Society

2005-09-04T19:43:00.000-07:00

A conference organized by the Highway Africa News Agency, Reinforcing Journalism in the Information Society, is taking place in South Africa, 12-14 September 2005.

Prof. Kelly Askew on Taarab

2005-09-04T00:29:00.000-07:00

Here is a very informative interview between Prof. Kelly Askew and Afropop Worldwide on Taarab, Kiswahili poetry, national identity, etc., in Tanzania.

Is Tanzania waging propaganda war against Kenya?

2005-09-01T22:55:00.000-07:00

I wonder what will be the future of the East African Community. Read the entire article...

Foreign "AID": Who benefits?

2005-09-01T13:20:00.000-07:00

For obvious reasons, I was not suprised when I read this article in the Guardian. Of £3m to Malawi relief projects by the British government through the Department of International Development, £586,423 was spent on hotels for a US consultancy agency, the National Democratic Institute and £126,062 was spent on meals!

Pens and notebooks for one project in Malawi were bought in the US while they were available locally. Read full article...

Bloggers: leading voices of dissent in Egypt

2005-08-30T06:18:00.000-07:00

I just came across this article on Yahoo!: In a country where most major newspapers are state-owned or affiliated to a party, the Internet is offering an unprecedented freedom and platform for an increasingly bold opposition to the regime. Read more....
One of the people "blogging down" the regime is a female blogger, Baheyya.

Tanzanian Blogosphere: Update

2005-08-29T06:25:00.000-07:00

Cross-posted at Globa Voices: English, Bilingual, and Political Bloggers in Tanzanian Blogosphere.

Blog Day 2005

2005-08-26T09:48:00.000-07:00

So the end of this month is the big day for bloggers. Read more...

2005-08-26T09:47:00.000-07:00

Mobile Phone Revolution in Africa

2005-08-26T01:43:00.000-07:00

Interesting article in the New York Times about growth of mobile phone use on the continent and Andy's take.

Lately, I have been talking a lot about mobile phone use in Africa. I get asked why I encourage Africans to blog considering the fact that very few people have access to the Internet and that computers are expensive to most people on the continent. One of my many answers is that these days the Internet is not only accessible through computers, there are many other cheaper tools such as cellphones. Mobile phones are increasingly becoming affordable to most people in Africa. It is only a matter of time, for example, before my mother, deep in the village on the slopes of the mountain of Ruwa (God), Kilimanjaro, starts reading my Kiswahili blog via her cellphone. The NYT article reports that 1 in 11 people in Africa is a mobile phone subscriber, what we are not told is that in many instances, particularly in the village, mobile phones are telecenters. One's mobile phone number becomes the contact of every villager, a teacher's mobile phone becomes the school's means of instant communication, etc.

O, ye bilingual bloggers!

2005-08-25T07:48:00.000-07:00

Ethan has an excellent post on the plight of the bilingual blogger.

Conference on Participatory Spatial Information Management

2005-08-23T20:41:00.000-07:00

International Conference on Participatory Spatial Information Management and Communication takes place in Kenya early next month. Read more...

Media Awards for African Journalists

2005-08-22T06:10:00.000-07:00

Individual journalists and media institutions based in Africa are invited to participate in the 2005 African Information Society Initiative (AISI) Media Awards.

PANOS/GKP Journalism Awards 2005

2005-08-22T05:50:00.000-07:00

Global Knowledge Partnership and Panos-London are offering 4 awards of US$1,000 each to print, radio, TV and web journalists from the South who produce the best works on the theme "Where is the money for bridging the digital divide?" Winners will be invited to attend the World Summit on the Information Society inTunisia in November 2005.

Women and ICTs in Southern Africa

2005-08-22T04:47:00.000-07:00

Ekowisa is an organization in Southern Africa using e-knowledge to build a gender sensitive information society.

Dismantling taboos in Africa with a blog

2005-08-21T13:00:00.000-07:00

BBC has an article about Ekine, a Nigerian blogger in Spain who uses her blog to tackle cutural taboos on the continent. Read more...

Shona Podcast

2005-08-21T12:51:00.000-07:00

A podcast for those interested in learning Shona.

Most wired nation and e-slates for textbooks in Africa

2005-08-21T12:18:00.000-07:00

While Rwanda is planning on becoming the most wired nation in Africa, Eduvision pilot project in Kenya replaces textbooks with e-slates.

Blogging and Podcasting taking off in Africa

2005-08-21T11:34:00.000-07:00

Andy Carvin was in Ghana recently. The first mobile phone podcast from Accra was one of the successes of his trip. Balancing Act has an interesting article about his experience in Ghana and some comments and observations from Ethan about blogging in Africa.

Limerick for Mr. Corrupt Minister

2005-08-20T16:20:00.000-07:00

Last month, the British goverment issued a travel ban on a corrupt Kenyan minister. Kenyan bloggers did not leave him alone. Mshairi hit the minister with a limerick, other Kenyan bloggers were inspired. Read the comments on her post.

Youth led IT initiative in Nigeria

2005-08-20T15:11:00.000-07:00

This is one of those day that you get lost in cyberspace forgetting completely what you were looking for in the first place. I came back with KnoweldgeHouseAfrica website.

Tanzanian Blogosphere

2005-08-19T06:50:00.000-07:00

I have been updating the Tanzanian section on the Global Voices wiki. I am trying to find the addresses of two or three other blogs that I have misplaced. Well, take a look...