Kikwete: 'Africa must invest in infrastructure'

African presidents attending the 8th Leon H.Sullivan Summit in Arusha, Tanzania, have cited corruption and poor infrastructure as major obstacle in efforts to raise the quality of life the continent's people.

“The continent must establish quality road, railway and telecommunications networks without which no significant development can be realized,” President Kikwete said.

Click here to read the full story

Obama's Grandmother Inundated with Interview Requests

"Now his meteoric rise to political fame has propelled the name Barack Obama onto the lips of millions of Kenyans.

He has Kenyan blood coursing through his veins and has been adopted as a Kenyan national hero, who just might become the most powerful man in the world".


His grandmother Sarah Obama still lives in the village where she receives an endless stream of journalists and well-wishers wanting to find out more about the US Democratic super-star.

I was in a queue of three other camera teams when I went to see Sarah Obama. Her family insists on appointments being made.

Read the rest of the story here

MTN Durban Fashion Week 2008

Its not too late to get your plane tickets :)

The launch of Durban Fashion Week in 2005 heralded a new era in South African fashion and, following two exceptionally successful years, MTN Durban Fashion Week has found its niche and is now firmly entrenched on the South African fashion calendar. South Africa’s cradle for new, young and emerging design talent, MTNDFW 2007 will take place from 25-28 June 2008 at the Suncoast Casino and Entertainment World.

Log on to http://www.durbanfashionweek.com for details

Manchester United to play Pompey in Nigeria

"Our own research has shown Nigeria is home to our fourth largest fan base - some 13.6 million supporters - so this is an opportunity for us to say thank you to those fans."

Portsmouth manager Harry Redknapp revealed the plan after his side's triumph in the FA Cup.
Click here for the full story

Barack Obama: "the Democratic nominee for president of the United States".

Not that we predicted ;-)

We Africans Love Soccer

Adebayor to receive award in Lome

Emmanuel Sheyi Adebayor will receive the 2007 BBC African Footballer of the Year trophy at a special gala in Lome on Tuesday night.

Click here for the full story.

Manu Chao, "Politik Kills (Long Version)"

I just thought this was a cool video. It shows a kid playing "Politik Kills" from a boombox and walking through Monrovia, Liberia one year after their civil war concluded.

Dancing with the Stars - Naija Version

Inevitably...

Sunny Okosuns dies of diabetes

Sunny Okosuns, popular musician, dies of diabetes
By David Ajiboye - 26.05.2008
RENOWNED evangelist and gospel musician, Evangelist Sunny Okosuns, is dead. He died in a United States hospital on Saturday evening.
A former president of the Performing Musicians Association of Nigeria (PMAN), Okosuns had been wheelchair-bound for almost six months and sources said he died of diabetes.
No official statement has been released by the family, but close associates confirmed his demise. The late Okosuns was the founder of House of Prayer Fellowship located at 10 Yaya Abatan Street, opposite Excellence Hotel, Ogba, Ikeja, Lagos.
The late gospel musician is survived by an aged father and many children, including Sidney, Michael, Adesua and Ebony, the product of a sizzling romance he had with another musician, Stella Monye.
The late Okosuns performed in several concerts all over the world and released more than 20 albums in a career spaning 40 years. Speaking on his demise, Evang. (Dr.) Bola Are, President of Gospel Musicians Association of Nigeria (GOMAN), described the late musician as someone who accepted Jesus Christ before his demise.
“I saw him at the airport on his way to the United States a few months ago, I was shocked because he had emaniciated beyond recognition. He was even on the wheelchair. All GOMAN members in the country will miss him.
“I pray that God grants the family and the children the fortitude to bear the loss,” Are said. Meanwhile, the Edo State governor, Professor Oserheimen Osunbor, has commiserated with the family of the late Okosuns.
In a press statement, he described the death as a great loss to Edo State, the nation and the music industry.
http://www.tribune.com.ng/26052008/news/news3.html

WarChild Rapper - Emmanuel Jal

Emmanuel Jal: Behind the Warchild

In Issue 1052, Evan Serpick profiled Emmanuel Jal, an MC who grew up in Sudan and became a soldier in the country's vicious civil war at age seven. After escaping five years of battle and unimaginable atrocities, he trekked to Kenya, where he began to channel his emotions and experiences into rhymes. Jal, the subject of new documentary War Child, also spoke about African rap battles and his unique perspective on 50 Cent.

Click here for the full story

Welcome ChinAfrica

China Invades Africa.

This is a very eye opening article about China's quest for resources in Africa, particularly the players, both winners and losers, in this growing phenomenon.



While America is preoccupied with the war in Iraq (cost: half a trillion dollars and counting), and while think-tank economists continue to spit out papers debating whether vital resources are running out at all, China's leadership isn't taking any chances. In just a few years, the People's Republic of China (PRC) has become the most aggressive investor-nation in Africa. This commercial invasion is without question the most important development in the sub-Sahara since the end of the Cold War -- an epic, almost primal propulsion that is redrawing the global economic map. One former U.S. assistant secretary of state has called it a "tsunami." Some are even calling the region "ChinAfrica."

For the complete article click here

A Taste of some Kenyan Hip hop

Seun Kuti Tours U.S., Issues Debut Album

Enter another Kuti progeny, youngest son Oluseun “Seun” Anikulapo Kuti, whose self-titled debut reclaims his father’s urgent, horn-drenched art form. The album will be released June 24 on Disorient Records and Kuti will embark on a full North American tour with the all-star Egypt 80 band. His forthcoming album, Seun Kuti & Egypt 80, is described as “a ravaging pamphlet against the corruption, ignorance, malady, sadness, pollution, and the many others ills that ravage contemporary Africa.”

Dates
06/20 Los Angeles, CA: Grand Performances
06/21 Los Angeles, CA: El Rey Theatre
06/22 San Francisco, CA: Stern Grove
06/23 Redway, CA: Mateel Center
06/25 Vancouver, CA: International Jazz Festival
06/27 Victoria, BC: Jazz Festival
06/28 Seattle, WA: The Moore
06/29 Chicago, IL: House of Blues
06/30 Alexandria, VA: Birchmere
07/02 Toronto, ON: Harbourfront
07/03 London, ON: Sunfest
07/04 Detroit, ON: Comercia Festival
07/05 Philadelphia, PA: World Café
07/07 Washington, DC: 9:30 Club

Whales Wash Up on Dakar Beach

The bodies of at least 20 whales have washed up on a Dakar beach and residents say as many as 100 swam right up to the shore.
Villagers living nearby said the whales were spotted late Tuesday night, veering closer and closer to the shore. By Wednesday morning many of them were beached. An Associated Press photographer counted at least 20 bodies, each the size of an adult man. It was not immediately known what type of whales they were.


Click here for the rest of the story.

Video: Esau & Radioclit & Marina Having FUN

Just saw this the other day. Esau claim to be the "Phil Collins of Africa.

Nigeria demands $2bn oil arrears

2 billion dollars is a lot of money right? ...as Oil tops $130 a barrel


President Umaru Yar'Adua has ordered Nigeria's state-run oil company to demand nearly $2bn in arrears from two major oil companies.

The government say Royal Dutch Shell and ExxonMobil have not paid taxes and production sharing costs they owe on two offshore oil fields

Click here for the rest of the story

Donors pledge $4.8 billion in aid for Sudan

This is a tremendous step in the right direction. African nations should be able to rise out of poverty with such aid...right?



Donor nations pledged a preliminary $4.8 billion in assistance to Sudan on Wednesday, aiming to help bolster a 2005 north-south peace deal in the east African country still torn by violence in its western Darfur region.

Sudan had said it needed $6.1 billion up to 2011, on top of $2 billion in humanitarian aid, but a deadly aerial bombing in Darfur three days ago cast a shadow over the Oslo conference.

For the full story click here

Femi Kuti Soundtracks Grand Theft Auto IV

Award winning Nigerian artist, and son of the legendary Fela Kuti, provides the tunes and the talk for a radio station in the brand new Grand Theft Auto game.

GTA IV is the newest game in the very controversial video game series, arriving on consoles in about a months time.




Click here for the full story

Africans and Religion

With the ongoing controversy about Obama's "former" pastor (...did he get fired?)The Rev. Jeremiah Wright, I thought we should do a little self reflection and explore the role religion has to play in Africa.

Check out the video clip below



Needless to say Africans are very enthusiastic when it comes to religion. Do we just have a higher propensity for the good word or is it because of the challenging economic environment that we find ourselves. I wonder. Truth be told, it is probably because of the fear of "jazz". See the story below.

I look forward to reading your comments.

Penis theft in Congo

Interestingly, this is not that unusual.

Lynchings in Congo as penis theft panic hits capital

Police in Congo have arrested 13 suspected sorcerers accused of using black magic to steal or shrink men's penises after a wave of panic and attempted lynchings triggered by the alleged witchcraft.

Reports of so-called penis snatching are not uncommon in West Africa, where belief in traditional religions and witchcraft remains widespread, and where ritual killings to obtain blood or body parts still occur.

Click here for the full story.

Google's Surfing Safari

Here is an interesting article about the search giant investing in Africa's emerging Internet sector.

"We feel that we should be a catalyst," Joseph Mucheru says, sitting in his office that overlooks central Nairobi. We, in this case, is Google, and the stout 39-year-old Kenyan heads the company's first outpost in sub-Saharan Africa. About 5% of Africans are online, but the thinking is that as the Internet grows, so will Google.

Click here to read the full article

Goapele in DC

Just when I was getting over my obsession with Goapele.

"August the First"

check out this movie tosin just told me about. looks interesting.

Today is Earth Day

It is all about being "green". Today is Earth Day. I searched around and no African organization is having an Earth Day event. Why is that? Africans care about the environment too...right?...so what can we do?

"Crazy Like A Fox" starring Angela Lola

We heart her, Angela is from Washington, DC by way of Ethopia co-starring Karibi Fubara from NYC by way of Nigeria. Nigeria has to be involved some how, some way...



"Crazy Like A Fox" coming out this summer

Ariztos Magazine Survey

Please click here to take our online survey

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.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS

Hope everyone is enjoying the holiday period.

We, at Ariztos, wish you all a very merry christmas...and a happy new year in advance.

We have so much planned for 2008 and can't wait to share it with you.

:-)

check out this video...

Kenya's first lady slaps official over name gaffe

Kenya's first lady slapped a government official during an Independence Day celebration after he introduced her by the name of a woman widely believed to be President Mwai Kibaki's second wife, local media reported.

An official from the president's office made the gaffe introducing Lucy Kibaki to hundreds of guests during a State House garden party.

"Before he could finish, the First Lady rose from her seat at the dais, walked to him and slapped him on the face," the leading Daily Nation said.

Lucy Kibaki was reported to have been incensed when the official acting as master of ceremony introduced her as "Wambui".

Mary Wambui is a woman many Kenyans believe has been Kibaki's second wife for 30 years, despite repeated denials from State House.

"President Kibaki, the Vice-President Moody Awori, several cabinet ministers and members of the diplomatic corps watched in dismay as the drama unfolded," the Standard newspaper said.
A presidential press official said he could not immediately comment. A Daily Nation reporter said security agents forced the media group's cameraman to erase footage of the incident.

Lucy Kibaki was at the centre of a controversy in 2005 when cameraman Clifford Derrick accused her of slapping him when she stormed into a newsroom to protest her treatment by the media.

Derrick sued her for assault, but the case was later thrown out of court.

In 2004, she publicly upbraided Vice-President Awori for referring to her in a speech as the "second lady". Although Awori apologised, neither he nor Kibaki could mollify her.

The first lady's outburst is likely to cause the private, soft-spoken Kibaki some embarrassment as he seeks a second five-year term in December 27 elections.

The latest opinion polls show Kibaki, 76, trailing his main challenger, Raila Odinga.

Source.

World Aids Day

World Aids Day was marked on December 1st. I thought I'd just post a little quote from Mr. Mandela from a speech during an event in South Africa.

"The trend is encouraging but still for every person receiving treatment four others are newly infected. If we are to stop the Aids epidemic from expanding, we need to break the cycle of new HIV infections. All of us working together with government, communities and civil society can make the difference that is needed."

Let us all do our part.

Akon...going to jail?

Akon is facing criminal charges after a fan said she suffered a concussion when the hip-hop star tossed a teenager off the stage and onto her in the concert crowd.

Akon, 34, is scheduled to appear in Fishkill Town Court on Monday morning for arraignment on a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor, and second-degree harassment, a violation, according to a news release Thursday from Police Chief Donald Williams.

Audience members said that a spectator lobbed something at Akon and that the singer asked the crowd to point out the culprit. A security guard picked out a 15-year-old and sent him up to the stage, where Akon hoisted him onto his shoulders and flung him into the crowd.

The boy landed on Abby Rosa, who told the Poughkeepsie Journal she was later found to have a concussion. She said she has hired a lawyer and spoken to Fishkill police.

Read the rest here.

Happy Holidays...

I hope everyone (in the U.S.) enjoyed the thanksgiving break.

Lola in Cambodia!

A friend (and Ariztos contributor) recently went to Cambodia in what she describes as her "most emotionally draining and inspiring trip so far." And she has travelled a lot! Read her note below.


I have seen how low man can go but also how high he can rise back upJust returned from Cambodia where I was fortunate to get behind the scenes of sex trafficking as a photojournalist. Visited a couple shelters which houses rescued victims, had a few discussions with local NGOs and a private investigator, as well as volunteered at the villages of Krang Yaw and Takeo.



A cruise along the Mekong, visits with monks, fried tarantulas, standoffs with monkeys, as well as an elephant ride capped off what has become my most emotionally draining and inspiring trip so far.Currently gathering my thoughts for upcoming blog posts at Matador Travel - http://matadortravel.com/travel-community/united+states/geotraveler/travel-blogIn the meantime, you can peruse my Cambodia gallery - http://www.lemurworks.com/lola/travel/cambodia/index.html

Wharton African Business Forum 2007

The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania
3730 Walnut Street
Philadelphia, PA

For details, visit: http://www.whartonglobal.com/africa/index.html

The Wharton Africa Business Forum (WABF) is an integral component of the Wharton Global Business Forum, the pre-eminent business school event addressing the major economic, social and political trends affecting Africa, Asia, Europe, India and Latin America. Over 1,300 participants from around the world converge at Wharton every year to drive discussions on business issues and developments around the globe.

'$100 laptop' begins production

According to BBC News...

Mass production of the so-called $100 laptop has begun, five years after the concept was first proposed.

Computer manufacturer Quanta has started building the low-cost laptops at a factory in Changshu, China.

One Laptop per Child (OLPC), the group behind the project, said that children in developing countries would begin receiving machines this month
Last month, OLPC received its first official order for 100,000 machines from the government of Uruguay.

"Today represents an important milestone in the evolution of the One Laptop per Child project," said Nicholas Negroponte, founder of OLPC.

The organisation had reached the critical stage despite "all the naysayers," he said.

Home-made helicopters hit northern Nigeria

I needed this thing this morning with the crazy traffic!!

KANO (AFP) - Mubarak Muhammad Abdullahi, a 24-year-old physics undergraduate in northern Nigeria, takes old cars and motorbikes to pieces in the back yard at home and builds his own helicopters from the parts.

"It took me eight months to build this one," he said, sweat pouring from his forehead as he filled the radiator of the banana yellow four-seater which he now parks in the grounds of his university.

The chopper, which has flown briefly on six occasions, is made from scrap aluminium that Abdullahi bought with the money he makes from computer and mobile phone repairs, and a donation from his father, who teaches at Kano's Bayero university.

It is powered by a second-hand 133 horsepower Honda Civic car engine and kitted out with seats from an old Toyota saloon car. Its other parts come from the carcass of a Boeing 747 which crashed near Kano some years ago.

For a four-seater it is a big aircraft, measuring twelve metres (39 feet) long, seven metres high by five wide. It has never attained an altitude of more than seven feet.

Read more

Sad sad news: Lucky Dube shot dead!

JJ just sent this to me:

From BBC News:

Fans across the world are mourning the South African reggae star, Lucky Dube, who has been shot dead.

He was dropping his teenage son and daughter off in a Johannesburg suburb when he was attacked by car thieves.

Local radio stations have been flooded with tearful callers expressing outrage at the murder and renewing demands that the authorities act to curtail crime.

South Africa's leader paid tribute to him and called on people to "confront this terrible scourge of crime".

Alongside Bob Marley, Lucky Dube was thought of as one of the great reggae artists - singing about social problems.

He was also one of the apartheid regime's most outspoken critics.

Read more...

Blog of the week- Awesome Tapes from Africa

I've been going through the blog, Awesome Tapes from Africa, for like a week now (which explains my lack of work productivity). Check it out...

"Ex-child soldier raps about hellish life"

My dreams are like torment, My every moment.
Voices of my brainOf friends that were slain,Friends who died by my side of starvationIn the burning jungle and the desert plain.But Jesus heard my cryI was tempted to eat the rotten flesh of my comrade.

JJ sent me his story on CNN.

Another "Rumble in the Jungle?"

I don't understand the tighty-whites neither, but I saw this on BBC this morning.

The organiser of "The Rumble in the Jungle", one of the world's greatest boxing fights, says he would like a similar contest in Africa again.

Don King made the famous fight between Muhammad Ali and George Foreman in 1974 happen, in what was then called Zaire.
"Without a question of a doubt I have to go back to the motherland," the US boxing promoter told the BBC.

He made the comments as Nigeria's Samuel Peter looks to defend his World Heavyweight Boxing Championship title.
King said that Peter may be considered for a future WBC fight in Africa.

But first, he said, the Nigerian boxer had to defend his title against US opponent Jameel McCline, in New York's Madison Square Garden on Saturday.

King told the BBC's Network Africa programme that a victory by Peter would make both Nigeria and the African continent proud "and the world will be respectful for a great champion".

The 1974 fight, in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo, saw Ali make a comeback by defeating Foreman, the reigning heavyweight champion.

Mandela announces new South African HIV/Aids gig

Source BBC News:

Former South African president Nelson Mandela has announced an international concert to be held for World Aids Day in Johannesburg on 1 December.

The aim is to raise awareness about HIV/Aids in a country with one of the world's highest HIV prevalence rates

More than five million people are HIV positive in South Africa.

Fifty thousand people are expected at the Ellis Park Stadium in Johannesburg. More than 30 local and international artists will be performing.

For the past four years, Nelson Mandela has allowed his old prison number 46664 to be used as a banner in the fight against HIV/Aids.

Several 46664 concerts have been held around the world and Mr Mandela said 46664 would continue to organise major events to highlight the problem.

"I am very delighted that we are engaging the youth in schools, communities and through the media, breaking the silence and stigmas around HIV and Aids, and making them realise that the power to beat the pandemic, lies in their own hands," he said.

Since his retirement from politics, Mr Mandela has thrown himself into the struggle against Aids with determination.

In 2005, the cause took on a tragic personal dimension for him when his only surviving son, Makgato, died of Aids.

African design(er)s...

First, rubber sandals idea is gone (for those of you Africans that grew up in Africa, you know what I'm talking about). Now big named designers are using African prints?




Sade found this online.

NY: "A Celebration of Sistas in Cinema, Art and Politics"

Click image for a larger view.

african movies continues to grow...fast

Dey-dey is still addicted to African films. Apparently, so are folks in Florida. Toks sent this to me this morning...



FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.—They’ve never walked along the dusty roads of Lagos, Nigeria, or set foot in an extravagant mansion in Ghana.

But fans of African movies now being sold in South Florida say they find themselves glued to their screens because in so many ways, the faraway continent feels so familiar.

“It’s everything from the drapes hanging at the entrance door in the kitchen to the way people go down on their knees before saying good morning to their elders,” said Hermante Leonard, who sees similarities to her Haitian culture in the movies.

Here's the full article.

Alek Wek's book signing...

Went to Alek's book signing. There was also a local TV interview before the signing.



Yes...I had my book signed. Anyway, stay tuned for our own interview and a book review in the next issue of Ariztos.



Yes I got my book signed :-)

Wale!!

Someone sent me this picture of Wale with Ms. Hilton at the VMAs. Dude is having some well deserved fun....I mean if your name is Wale...

Oh...and happy birthday Wale. Invite us to the party too!

Check out his latest- "Nike Boots."