Runway Africa 2007 (some pics)

Thanks to everyone that came to support Runway Africa 2007. Stay tuned for exclusive pictures and interviews in the next issue of Ariztos.

Alek Wek...Lady of the week ;-)

Ok...maybe I'm a bit obsessed...whatever!
Check out why she's my lady of the week...

Nigeria U-17 Champs

'Three is a magic number' goes the old song and FIFA U-17 World Cup Korea 2007 winners Nigeria are unlikely to disagree. The tournament has now been held three times on Asian soil and, having scaled the heights at China 1985 and Japan 1993, the Africans will now leave the continent with their third global crown. No doubt less than enamoured with the number three, opponents Spain have now reached three finals and tasted defeat in every single one.

Yemi Tella's Nigerians appeared potential candidates for the main prize right from the off, and were certainly not lacking in confidence. "We'll take the trophy back to Nigeria," announced the African champions' coach, and those words seem more than a little prophetic now. France, Japan, Haiti, Colombia, Argentina and Germany all fell by the wayside, unable to cope with tireless captain Lukman Haruna in midfield, technically-superb duo Rabiu Ibrahim and King Osanga and goal-scorer extraordinaire Macauley Chrisantus.

Read more...

P.s., Check out the Women's World Cup. Very little promotion...but the games are actually really good....and competitive.

Bill Clinton- "Giving: How each of us can change the world."

Bill Clinton's new book is out. "Giving" is an inspiring look at how each of us can change the world. First, it reveals the extraordinary and innovative efforts now being made by companies and organizations -- and by individuals -- to solve problems and save lives both "down the street and around the world." Then it urges us to seek out what each of us, "regardless of income, available time, age, and skills," can do to help, to give people a chance to live out their dreams.

Bill Clinton shares his own experiences and those of other givers, representing a global flood tide of nongovernmental, nonprofit activity. These remarkable stories demonstrate that gifts of time, skills, things, and ideas are as important and effective as contributions of money. From Bill and Melinda Gates to a six-year-old California girl named McKenzie Steiner, who organized and supervised drives to clean up the beach in her community, Clinton introduces us to both well-known and unknown heroes of giving. Among them:

Dr. Paul Farmer, who grew up living in the family bus in a trailer park, vowed to devote his life to giving high-quality medical care to the poor and has built innovative public health-care clinics first in Haiti and then in Rwanda; a New York couple, in Africa for a wedding, who visited several schools in Zimbabwe and were appalled by the absence of textbooks and school supplies. They founded their own organization to gather and ship materials to thirty-five schools. After three years, the percentage of seventh-graders who pass reading tests increased from 5 percent to 60 percent;' Oseola McCarty, who after seventy-five years of eking out a living by washing and ironing, gave $150,000 to the University of Southern Mississippi to endow a scholarship fund for African-American students; Andre Agassi, who has created a college preparatory academy in the Las Vegas neighborhood with the city's highest percentage of at-risk kids. "Tennis was a stepping-stone for me," says Agassi. "Changing a child's life is what I always wanted to do"; Heifer International, which gave twelve goats to a Ugandan village. Within a year, Beatrice Biira's mother had earned enough money selling goat's milk to pay Beatrice's school fees and eventually to send all her children to school -- and, as required, to pass on a baby goat to another family, thus multiplying the impact of the gift.

the African "white man" rocks rebel north!

In an attempt to explain his sudden love for rock music, JJ sent me this article...

In a country which couldn't care less about rock music, Ivory Coast's "white man" is up against huge obstacles.

Kutchala Sutchi is a rock star - well, a rock musician anyway.

This summer, Ivory Coast's "white man" has been playing gigs all over the north of the country, controlled by New Forces rebels, as part of a tour organised by the Ivorian musicians' union to promote national unity.

Read more.

ALEK: From Sundanes Refugee to International Supermodel.

We all know her story by now...



Washingtonians: Just got word from our girl Jaja that she'll be at Howard's Campus bookstore on September 19th. 4:30pm-6pm. Look for our "GQ" to be stalking her during those hours :)

We have a book review in our upcoming issue.

Happy Labor Day!

Top [African] Models on the cover of Ebony.

Speaking of magazine covers...



Iman & Alek, joined Tyra Banks and Kimora Lee on the latest issue of Ebony.

This issue covers the history and success of Blacks in fashion.

Ghana U17 stun Brazil at World Cup

Ghana knocked tournament favourites Brazil out of the under-17 World Cup in South Korea with a 1-0 win on Wednesday.

Isaac Donkor scored the only goal of the game, played in Gwangyang, on 51 minutes.
The Black Starlets played the entire second half with ten men after Francis Boadi was sent off a minute before the break.

Ghana will play Peru in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Changwon.

Meanwhile, Tunisia suffered a 3-1 defeat in extra time against France. in another second-round tie.

France took the lead just before half-time with a free-kick from Henri Saivet, but Nour Hadhria gave the Carthage Eaglets the equaliser four minutes after the break with a stunning 25-metre drive.

It was still 1-1 after 90 minutes, but France scored twice in extra time through Damien Le Tallec.

Tunisia had been reduced to ten men after 76 minutes, when Mohamed Karoui was sent off for a foul.

The resultant penalty was saved by goalkeeper Habib Tounsi.

Nigeria play Colombia on Thursday in a second round match in Gwangyang.

Source: BBC Sports

Obama is...GQ!

GQ magazine followed us, and put Mr. Obama on the cover of their magazine.

Senator Barack Obama is conducting a determined and closely watched bid for the Democratic presidential nomination. And yet the candidate remains a citizen, son, husband, and father. In an in-depth cover story for the September issue, GQ correspondent Ryan Lizza reports on Obama's campaign trail life and the successes and challenges he's experienced as a presidential candidate in 2007.

Lizza interviewed Obama numerous times beginning in early 2004, just after his Senate primary win. In the same year, Obama delivered his history-making speech at the Democratic National Convention and went on to decisively capture the seat as the junior senator from Illinois. Since officially announcing his presidential candidacy on February 10, 2007.

In the whirlwind race for the White House, Obama tells GQ how he has worked to maintain the balance between the expectations placed upon him and the realities of waging a presidential run: "Finding that balance is hard," [says Obama], "because one of the criticisms in the national press of me is, 'Well, he may not be mean and tough enough for the rough-and-tumble of a presidential race.' Well, it turns out we've had some sharp elbows once in a while. But then people are shocked, and they say, 'Look, the guy's not who we thought he was!' "

Obama also speaks about the struggle to stay true to his core beliefs while communicating a meaningful political stance: "The danger," he goes on, "is that you start becoming so risk-averse that you become canned and scripted, and I'm resisting that, which means there's still gonna be some times when I want to push the boundaries a little bit, try to make a point...."

The story explores the impact of a presidential campaign on the candidate and his family. Obama's wife, Michelle, expresses a sense of how it feels inside the campaign bubble: "We'll joke," [Michelle Obama says], "when we're sitting at home watching TV, on the rare quiet night, and something will come on the news, and it's about Barack Obama. We'll say, 'Hmm, there goes that Barack Obama again. Sounds really pretty interesting.' I think there's an out-of-body kind of aspect to it."

Source: GQ Magazine

Vogue magazine also followed our footsteps :) in their last issue

Nelson Mandela statue is unveiled in London

Mr Mandela, his wife Graca Machel, and Prime Minister Gordon Brown were among those at the unveiling in Parliament Square.

Mr Brown hailed Mr Mandela as the "greatest and most courageous leader of our generation".
The late South African anti-apartheid activist Donald Woods had the idea for the 9ft-high (2.7m) bronze statue.

Sept. 15th - CELEBRATING AFRICAN FASHION!!!

Here in D.C., African fashion will be showcased and celebrated.

LA MAISON FRANCAISE (EMBASSY OF FRANCE)
4101 Reservoir RdWashington, DC, 20007

SEPTEMBER 15, 2007
RED CARPET RECEPTION – 6pm - designed for VIP ticket holders, sponsors and special guestsInvited to meet the designers and experience the life behind RUNWAY AFRICA, see our footage of special events leading up RUNWAY AFRICA, Light fare and drinks. EVENT hosted EXCLUSIVELY by Amarula Cream.

RUNWAY AFRICA FASHION SHOW – begins @ 8pm WATCH RUNWAY AFRICA’s five international couture designers: RUBY – SOUTH AFRICA, SIKA DESIGNS – GHANA, BEZEYMAILAN – TOGO-RUSSIAN and VIETNAM-FRENCH influenced, BLOKES N’ DIVAS – NIGERIA, HARRIET’S ALTER EGO – NIGERIA all representing different countries in Africa as they present Africhic fashions on the RUNWAY, featuring Miss GHANA 2006, Miss Angela Assare – THE FACE OF RUNWAY AFRICA 2007.

For tickets, click here! This event will sell out!

After party details coming shortly...

Wale!!

Wale doing it big time...just heard a song featuring Jay Z & Freeway.
Personal opinion: best rapper in 2007!

Afrikan Boy...

We've been listening to dude's songs, quite often....

hilarious!

"Gimme Shelter" Angelique Kidjo and Joss Stone

Angelique Kidjo and Joss Stone remake The Rolling Stones hit with a universal message.

Lovely!!

Naijafest.....

We spent all weekend in the beautiful far off land of Baltimore city at the Naijafest. We had a blast. Good music...good food...good people....

CASRAM...Day 1

I was at the the CASRAM? grand opening event on Wednesdday. Wow...it was hot!!

It continues tonight. Click here for details!

Ruwayafrica's EGO Trippin' event.

not a whole lof of pics...

Ngozi Odita of Harriet's Alter Ego:

What's health worth for the poor in Africa?

Check out this link for couple of case studies on health issues. Interesting read.

Ivory Coast leaders burn weapons

From BBC:

Ivory Coast's president and prime minister have set fire to stockpiled weapons to symbolise the end of the country's five-year conflict.

It was the first time that President Laurent Gbagbo had gone to the former rebel-held north since 2002, when an uprising against him split the country.

"People of Ivory Coast, the war is over," he said in Bouake.

Mr Gbagbo signed a peace deal in March with ex-rebel leader Guillaume Soro, who was later named prime minister.

As part of the deal the pair agreed to hold elections, which have repeatedly been cancelled, by early 2008.

"As of today, we are preparing for elections. We must move fast, fast, fast to elections," Mr Gbagbo told the crowd in Bouake, the stronghold of Mr Soro's New forces movement.

your comments...

hey...we really appreciate you following our blog and your comments on the posts...please keep them coming. but keep it related to the topics as much as possible...more importantly, let your unrelated comments be shorter than a book :-)

if you have long articles or comments (that aren't related to the topic of the post), please feel free to email it to walea@ariztos.com and it'll get posted as a new topic, if we see fit.

thanks again...

EGO Trippin'

(click the flyer for a larger view)

MTV Base looking for VJs.

MTV Base is offering a lifetime opportunity to one talented Ugandan, Kenyan and Tanzanian to become the first ever Video Jockeys (VJs)/presenters from the region to work on the pan-african music channel.

The winners will host MTV Coca Cola Xpress, a chart show sponsored by Coca Cola. The competition was launched at Silk Royale last Friday with a media do.

Application forms can be downloaded from the website, and one can still pick a form on arrival at the venue on the night of auditions. However, only the first 1000 contestants will be considered for auditions.

"My Fabulous Wedding" Pics.

For the longest time we've been trying to do an issue with some wedding stories and pics, and Carol has decided to take the lead on making this happen. So if you have, and want to share, your wedding pics...send them to CAdama@ariztos.com. Also, ask her for details.

Djimon Hounsou, Calvin Klein's new brief boy!!

Sade told me she heard something about 40 (plus) year old Djimon doing some ads for Calvin Klein underwear...she's be whining for me to find out more information to see if it's true. Well...thanks to Jaja...you were right Sade, it is true.






Although he's not as well known as he should be, Calvin Klein is hoping that what Freddie Ljunberg did for his underwear a few years back, Djimon will be able to do for his latest campaign - Klein Steel. He’ll be featured on billboards in Los Angeles, New York and Houston, as well as bus shelters in Miami and and San Francisco, according to Women’s Wear Daily. Later, the campaign will venture to Latin America, Asia, Europe and Canada.

p.s., Sade just fainted in the office!!

Film: Ghosts of Cité Soleil

We are currently reviewing this film for our next issue. I couldn't wait to show you...because we probably won't be able to go into details in the magazine. Asger Leth's intense new film "Ghosts of Cité Soleil" is about life and death in Port-Au-Prince, Haiti's most desperate slum. The website has a lot of information, pictures, etc.

Ghosts was co-executive produced and scored by Wyclef Jean and Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis.

The images and sounds might be too violent for some.

Monica Arac de Nyeko, favorite lady of the week.

Author of "Jambula Tree" takes the winning prize! Monica Arac de Nyeko beat four other finalists to get the $20,000 (£10,000) prize for her story Jambula Tree. The Jambula Tree is about the relationship between two young girls in a very complex social setting in a community where homosexuality is illegal. "I'm not a lesbian but I do think it's a difficult subject, like... writing about Uganda's history," Ms. Arac de Nyeko said.

Read more

CASRAM?
don't miss this event. seriously!

Janelias new music video...

We've been a fan of Janelia since she was in diapers...okay, maybe not in diapers. But we know her pretty well. Check out her latest video.

This week's rising leading lady- Rama Yade

We just wanted to give a shout out to African's making a difference around the world.



Rama Yade is one of 17 junior ministers that were appointed to President Nicolas Sarkozy's rightwing French government following parliamentary elections. She is minister for human rights.

Yade was born in Dakar, the daughter of a Senegalese diplomat, but grew up with her mother and three sisters on the outskirts of Paris, where she studied political science, moving on to an administrator's job in the French Senate.

Morgan Freeman to play Nelson Mandela in new film.

The film is title "The Human Factor." Freeman will co-produce the film, which is based on John Carlin's book of the same name.

It is set during the 1995 Rugby World Cup, when Mr Mandela used the country's hosting of the tournament to help heal divisions between blacks and whites.

Freeman travelled to South Africa last year to discuss the project with the former president.
"I have known Nelson Mandela personally for quite some time, and am continually in awe of his enormous presence in the world," Freeman - who won a best supporting actor Oscar for Million Dollar Baby in 2005 - said.

The film is being made by Freeman's production company, Revelations Entertainment, with a script by South African writer Anthony Peckham.