Hope and Fear for Zimbabwe Vote

saw an article ms. t posted. thought it was interesting.

Election time has again come to Zimbabwe — expectant days of hope and suspense, but also of fear, with the lining up at the polls customarily preceded by what many people here describe as a campaign of state-supported intimidation and skulduggery.

Read more...

Boxing champion: Samuel Peter!!

Samuel Peter became the first Nigerian to win a heavyweight championship belt after stopping Oleg Maskaev in the sixth round of their WBC title fight.

The 27-year-old unleashed a flurry of punches to finish the Russian off in Saturday's first ever heavyweight title fight to be held in Mexico.

BBC

The World's Billionaires: #334

Fortune: inherited and growing
Source: sugar, flour, cement manufacturing
Net Worth: $3.3 bil
Country Of Citizenship: Nigeria Residence: Lagos , Nigeria, Middle East & Africa
Industry: Diversified
Marital Status:
Education:
Nigeria's first billionaire hit the jackpot when his sugar-production company listed on the Nigerian stock exchange last year. Meanwhile, proposed initial public offerings of his flour and cement companies have stalled. Began career as trader at 21 with loan from his uncle; built his Dangote Group into conglomerate with interests in sugar, flour milling, salt processing, cement manufacturing, textiles, real estate, haulage and oil and gas. Closely linked to Nigeria's former president Olusegun Obasanjo.

Check out the Africans on the list.

Kenya rivals agree to share power

Kenyan President Mwai Kibaki and opposition leader Raila Odinga have signed an agreement to end the country's post-election crisis.

At a ceremony in Nairobi, the two men put their signatures to a power-sharing deal brokered by ex-UN head Kofi Annan.

A coalition government comprising members of the current ruling party and opposition will now be formed.

Read on...

Ivory Coast's 'big-bottom' craze

Have you read/seen what's going on in I.C.? It's no longer just a hollywood type thing. Our "bottoms" expert sent this to me the other day.

A national dance craze in Ivory Coast has spawned a black market in treatments claiming to increase one's bottom size.

The dance in question has been inspired by DJ Mix and DJ Eloh's hit song Bobaraba, which means "big bottom" in the local Djoula language.

Read more

Ikwunga - "Di Bombs" Music Video

Our good friend Dami posted this on her facebook page. Thought it was interesting.

U.S. President Bush clarifies: "U.S. is not seeking African bases"

US President George Bush is touring parts of Africa. He said the creation of a US military command for Africa does not mean he wants to expand US military presence on the continent.

Hmmm. Read on.

Mr. Bush, during his African tour, has been making pledges to help fight Aids and malaria, and promises of aid and investment, as he tours Africa.

SOCIAL NETWORKING

So I finally formed a group on Facebook. Once you join, hit us up with the coolest videos, music, art, or ANYTHING.

Also, we'll be posting up the free pdf versions of our magazine for you to download.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Hope you take time to show some love today!

Egypt Wins it...Again!

Egypt beat Cameroon, 1-0, to win the title for the 6th time. Hope you had a great time watching the game.

Umm...she's flexible

Got this from Sola the other day. I'm sure you've seen her. She's from the musical Africa Africa.

Don't try this at home.

Africa Unite 2008: Smile Jamaica

Rita Marley Foundation & Bob Marley Foundation jointly present Africa Unite-Smile Jamaica 2008. The event will be held in Jamaica, February 1-23.

The Programme of Events in Celebration and Recognition of the 63rd Birthday of Bob Marley is now available on African-Unite.org.

Nigerian 2Face Idibia is slated to perform along side the Marley's and Rhianna.

Still trying to figure out how I'll make the concert. It's on February 23rd. Friends...I need ticket money :-)

African Cup of Nations: Live from Ghana.

Okay...maybe not live from Ghana (I can wish right?). Went to the barber shop over in DC to watch the opening match of the African Nation's Cup- Ghana vs. Guinea. Ghana won, 2-1.

So far it's been an interesting tournament.

Nigeria lost to Ivory Coast, 0-1
Nambia lost to Morocco, 1-5 (yikes!!)
Mali beat Benini, 1-0 (that penalty wasn't called for, was it?)
Sudan lost to Zambia, 0-3
Egypt beat Cameroon, 4-2
Tunisia and Senegal tied, 2-2
South Africa and Angola also tied, 1-1

To watch the final match (February 10th) at the Ariztos ACN party in DC, email walea[at]ariztos.com for passes.

The rest of the schedule:

Thursday, 24 January 2008
Ghana v Namibia, A, 19:30
Guinea v Morocco, A, 17:00
Friday, 25 January 2008
Ivory Coast v Benin, B, 17:00
Nigeria v Mali, B, 19:30
Saturday, 26 January 2008
Cameroon v Zambia, C, 17:00
Egypt v Sudan, C, 19:30
Sunday, 27 January 2008
Senegal v Angola, D, 17:00
Tunisia v South Africa, D, 19:30
Monday, 28 January 2008
Ghana v Morocco, A, 17:00
Guinea v Namibia, A, 17:00
Tuesday, 29 January 2008
Ivory Coast v Mali, B, 17:00
Nigeria v Benin, B, 17:00
Wednesday, 30 January 2008
Cameroon v Sudan, C, 17:00
Egypt v Zambia, C, 17:00
Thursday, 31 January 2008
Senegal v South Africa, D, 17:00
Tunisia v Angola, D, 17:00
Sunday, 03 February 2008
Winner Group A v Runner-up Gp B, Quarter Final,
Winner Group B v Runner-up Gp A, Quarter Final,
Monday, 04 February 2008
Winner Gp C v Runner-up Gp D, Quarter Final,
Winner Gp D v Runner-up Gp C, Quarter Final,
Thursday, 07 February 2008
Winner Q/F 1 v Winner Q/F 4, Semi-Final,
Winner Q/F 2 v Winner Q/F 3, Semi-Final,
Saturday, 09 February 2008
Loser SF1 v Loser SF2, 3rd and 4th Place Play-Offs,
Sunday, 10 February 2008
Winner SF1 v Winner SF2, Final.

You want to see some of our old issues?

Ok, no problem!


We are actively working on our website...but we decided to put some of our past issues online. Please check them out by going to the archives section.

We honor you, Martin Luther King

Today, to celebrate Dr. King's memory, I hope we all try to perform some act of kindness through service to others.

For at least today.

In case you never heard the I have a Dream speech, check it out below

Hit us with good music.

We've been listening to some incredible music lately (I'll share some of them tomorrow). Please let us know what's good out there...what African [inspired] music are you listening to?

Help Kenyans/Extra Golden

(photo by Joshua Wildman)

Three members of Kenyan/DC benga band Extra Golden are currently in need of help. Because of a rigged election, there has been an almost constant stream of rioting, causing massive destruction and destroying clubs, with curfews imposed on the ones that remain, preventing these musicians from performing and making money to support their families. Clearly this is not a great situation for Opiyo Bilongo, Onyango Wuod Omari, Onyango Jagwasi, and the countless other Kenyans who are forced into unlivable circumstances because of the rioting and political unrest. American Extra Golden members Ian Eagleson and Alex Minoff are doing everything they can to help their bandmates, and have asked for donations that will go directly to the other members.

Sources says things are getting better there. But nothing official.

Read the full information, and how you can help, at Extra Golden's website.

P.s., we're currently looking for other ways we can help our other brothers and sisters caught up it the mess in Kenya.

Interesting: wedding cake is a full-size likeness of bride.

Did anyone go to this wedding in Dallas, TX?

Wedding Cake portrait?

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

We spent most of the holiday working, partying, planning, and re-planning the incredibly tremendous year ahead. We are bringing back some music from the motha'land. We got to preview some quality films. And so many other things.

And we've made some (and still making) some additions to the Ariztos family.

Stay tuned.

Very important this year- please think of at least one way to make Africa better this year. We're not completely off to a good start as a nation because of the politics. But I know (and pray) that things will get better.

Kenya leader names new ministers (as everyone is still calling FOUL PLAY)

Kenya's President Mwai Kibaki has named new ministers, just before Ghana's leader arrived as part of mediation efforts following disputed elections.

Mr Kibaki named Kalonzo Musyoka, who came third in last month's election, as vice-president but no-one from the main opposition party was appointed.

A BBC correspondent says the move could derail the efforts of Ghana's John Kufuor, who heads the African Union.

Violence broke out in opposition strongholds following the announcement.

Some 600 people have died in a wave of clashes across the country, after the opposition said the election had been rigged.

Read more.