I am a blogger, journalist, lawyer, digital activist and new media consultant. I am interested in the relationship between social media and development in the developing world, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa.
I am the Sub-Saharan Africa Editor here at Global Voices. Follow me on Twitter: @ndesanjo
Latest posts by Ndesanjo Macha from May, 2007
Kenya: Mobile Toolkit Workgroup
White African writes about Mobile Toolkit Workgroup meeting in Nairobi, Kenya: The first 3 days were taken up with examples and stories of how mobile technology is being used as an effective tool within NGO’s that have a focus on human rights and social advocacy. A typical question at these...
South Africa: Media Tech Africa 2007
Media Tech Africa 2007 is taking place in South Africa: “Organised by Thebe Exhibitions, mediatech africa 2007 showcases cutting edge technologies and services from industry leaders in television and broadcast, sound and audio, lighting and staging, animation, communication, and every related field. The combination of technology, demonstrations, networking opportunities and...
Kenya: they came, they saw, they were conquared
Only in Kenya writes about Harambee Stars vs. the Green Eagles: “They came, they saw, they were conquered. That is the story of the Super Eagles after their encounter with Harambee Stars Sunday 27th May 2007 at Kasarani. Yes, they hit us 1-0, but as anyone who was in the...
Africa: blogging the G8 Summit
A team of African journalists, who are working with Panos London will blog from the G8 Summit in Germany: “For nine days starting on 1 June, journalists from Ethiopia, Uganda, Mozambique and South Africa will bring you stories and perspectives from Africa on HIV/AIDS and healthcare, international aid, debt relief...
Africa: mobile phones and activism in Africa
Black Looks writes from Kenya, where she is attending a conference on the use of mobile phones for activism and advocacy in Africa: “I am here in Nairobi at one of the most interesting gatherings I have attended in a long time. Fahamu have brought together some 40 African social...
Nigeria: remembering the Biafran War
Chxta and Ababoy remember the Biafran War, which took place 40 years ago this month.
Burkina Faso: FA Cup Final in Ouagadougou
English football is big in Burkina Faso as Voice in the Desert reports:”African men care very deeply about their football teams, including the teams they ‘adopt’ from abroad. In Ouagadougou there are passionate Manchester United supporters and equally passionate Chelsea supporters, and today they got together for the Cup Final....
Mauritius: a new book on art in Mauritius
An announcement about a new book on art in Mauritius: “Art in Mauritius – Post Independence issues and perspectives is being launched on Wednesday 30th May 2007 at the 26th Salon de Mai, at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute’s School of Fine Arts in Moka.”
Guinea: top businessman becomes honorary president
News From Guinea and Friends of Guinea reports, “Mamadou Sylla, Guinea's richest business patron, was named as the new honorary president of the ruling PUP party. Sylla is a close ally of the head of state Gen. Lansana Conté and is often referred to as ‘the ruling party's banker.’ Last...
Zambia: does Zambia-China relationship worry IMF?
Is IMF concerned about Zambia-China relationship?: “This warning appears to reflect IMF concern about the blossoming Zambia-China relationship, and the investment conditions established for Chinese companies entering the recently announced ‘economic zone’ around Chambishi. The site is already a source of major conflict between workers and communities and the existing...
Zimbabwe: inflation exceeds 10,000%
“The Zimbabwe opposition Movement for Democratic Change’s economics spokesperson, Eddie Cross, says that judging from his own bakery business in Bulawayo the country’s inflation rate now exceeds 10 000%. In his regular newsletter on Wednesday, he said that he was told by a supplier that flour for his bakery would...
Malawi: Malawi's first lady passes away
Sad news from Victor Kaonga: “It has been reported by Malawi's State House officials that the First Lady Madamme Ethel Mutharika passed away Monday 28th May after long illness. A month-long period of national mourning has been declared.”
Ethiopia: shady dealings of international media
“When news that three New York Times reporters were caught in Deghabur while they were trying to cover rebel activity in the region sipped through last week, American diplomats in Addis Ababa immediately contacted Ethiopian government officials, including the Prime Minister to demand their release. That triggered a chain of...
D.R. of Congo: Park rangers attacked by rebels
“At 4h00 this morning Mai Mai rebels attacked the Burusi Patrol Post here in Virunga, leaving one park ranger dead, four critically wounded, as well as kidnapping Officer Monya. There were 10 Park Rangers stationed at Burusi, including the Conservateur and the Conservateur Communicateur,” writes Atamato from Virunga National Park...
Niger: environmental war
“Earlier this year, I mentioned the emergence of a new rebel movement among the Touareg minority in northern Niger. Since then, the Mouvement des Nigeriens pour la Justice (MNJ) has stepped up its activity, claiming responsibility for a pitched battle with government troops in March and a recent attack on...
Uganda: Free solar mobile phone chargers for rural women
Pius Sawa writes about solar mobile phone chargers in Uganda: “Motorola company has introduced a new innovative technology of phone charging called Motorpower Kiosk.The project was launched on May 10th 2007 in Kampala. Each Motorpower kiosk is charged by a 55 Watts Direct Current (DC) inverted solar panel, capable of...
Uganda: What if we blogged in local languages?
Country Boyi asks, “What if we blogged in local languages?“: “I've been thinking. It took a workshop on writing for children in Ugandan local languages to have me thinking: what clearly is the importance of indigenous languages, and would it add any value if we blogged in our home languages?”
Kenya: are you a regular Mzalendo user in Nairobi?
Mzalendo is looking for its users in Nairobi: “Are you a regular Mzalendo user based in Nairobi? If you are interested in being interviewed on your views about Mzalendo by Reuters, please get in touch with us via the contact page.”
South Africa: is the South African blogosphere entirely white?
Izzonline writes about race and blogging in South Africa: “Not that it's worrying. But a small concern it is. The SA blogosphere is nearly entirely white – I realised since starting to blog. I went across many blogs on Amatomu, the SA blog aggregator, and you hardly ever come across...
Zambia: corruption wars
Cho discusses corruption wars in Zambia: “I have watched with some amazement at the recent flurry of discussions on corruption following the London judgement on our ex President FTJ. The issue has been much debated on every Zambian blog, forum and newspaper. As always these discussions have been led from...
Zambia: Zambian art: a woman from the lake
A woman from the lake is one of Cho's Zambian art collection.
