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 December, 2007
Africa: Africa's modular machines
Afrigadget has a video showing Africa's modular machines: “The video below shows how the machines are used in wood workshops to make design cutouts, carve out pieces for furniture and to split planks of wood. It is essentially the same machine pieces, motor, pulleys and frame, just customized for different...
Is Kenya turning into a police state?
How would you describe the political situation in Kenya? White African uses three words to describe millions of Kenyan voters following the announcement that the Mwai Kibaki has won by 200,000+ votes: disappointed, angry and jaded. Daudi of Mental Acrobatics chose one word to describe the mood: uncertainty. What are other bloggers saying?
Kenya: Total media blackout
Kenyan Pundit on total media blackout in Kenya: “I have no news to report. It’s a total total blackout. Watching TV feels like watching TV under some crazy dictatorship. I mean we all know that the country is on fire, but KBC is airing Just for Laughs. WTF???”
Kenya: A new President must be sworn in today
Kenyan Jurist points out that according to the Kenyan constitution a new president must be sworn in today: “My further thoughts after listening to the contestants; H E Mwai Kibaki's term expires today, a new President must under our Constitution be sworn in today.”
Mali: Old map of Timbuktu
Sociolingo posts an old map of Timbuktu, Mali: “Here is an old map of the ancient city of Timbuktu from the Perry-Castañeda Library Map Collection, University of Texas.”
Kenya Elections 2007: Should Raila Supporters Celebrate?
Although the official presidential results have not been announced by the Electoral Commission of Kenya, Kenyan blogger, Gerald Baraza, has already declared the winner on his blog, “Kenya has a new President: Hon.Raila Amolo Odinga!… Congratulations Your Excellency Raila Amolo Odinga, 4th President of the Republic of Kenya!”
South Africa: What if Jacob Zuma is found guilty?
J.S wonders what will happen if Jacob Zuma is found guilty: “I keep wondering what this is going to mean for us especially in terms of his election victory in the ANC. What will the outcome be if he gets found guilty? Some people have speculated that the ‘groundroots’ supporters...
Ghana: Akuffo Addo and the ruling party
Novisi writes about the recent nomination of the presidential candidate for the ruling party in Ghana: “self-so-called stalwarts of democracy of our country Ghana, the NPP, have just obtained or found or taken or norminated or acclaimed or chosen or whatever it is that they have done, to have Nana...
Ghana: The Opposition and Election 2008
Sarpong writes about Ghana election 2008: “Prez Kufuor faces his last term in office which expires next year.The CPP elected their presidential candidate, Dr. Paa Kwesi Nduom, along other executives. Now, Dr. Nduom made some remarkable statements when he was declared winner ahead of Prof. Badu Akosah.”
Ghana: Christmas with Ofori Amponsah
Ghana Music blog on Christmas celebration in Ghana: The mother of all the events took place at the National Theatre on Monday December 24, where thousands of Ghanaian and foreign music lovers came to take part in perhaps the biggest show in town, dubbed “Ghana Rocks With Ofori Amponsah and...
Kenya: Kenya elections in photos
Afromusing posts photos from the Rift Valley of Kenya elections: “Here are some shots i took yesterday at a few polling stations around Eldoret.It was so hot, but people braved the heat and queued in order to vote. By and large it went smoothly in some stations, though in the...
Kenya: Parliamentary votes in 64 constituencies
Mzalendo posts results of parliamentary votes following the Kenya 2007 election yesterday: “Mzalendo now has the results for 64 Constituencies.”
Kenya: Kenya election update
Kenya 2007 election update from Kenya Imagine: “I have a racking headache this morning. Yesterday was a tough, nay, gruelling day. Yeah, and so much so. It was Election Day; the most competitive, much anticipated issue-based election since independence. I was among the last people at the polling station having...
Nigeria: Oil's Dirty Business
Timbuktu Chronicles writes about the documentary, Delta, Oil's Dirty Business: “Directed by Yorgos Avgeropoulos, “DELTA – Oil's Dirty Business” “…portrays the image of “development”, the way giant multinational petroleum companies would define it.”
Kenya: Using new technology to cover elections
White African looks at the use of technology in Kenya Election 2007: “I’ve been particularly impressed with the AfricaNews.com media group. They use technology in innovative ways, creating real usable systems to report and connect with Africans on multiple platforms.”
Africa: Dealing with AIDS in Africa
Black Looks discusses the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa: “But I was quickly disappointed by the article, even if it spoke some truths that I would agree with. Shunning promiscuity is one of those. But the author also says things like, “since the condom is about safe sex and safe...
Kenya: Problems at polling stations
You Missed This writes about problems at polling stations in Kenya: “Shock as Thousands of Names, including that of Raila Odinga, are found missing on ECK Register! There was heightened tension this morning when thousands of voters were turned away at various polling stations in Langata constituency after their names...
Kenya: Kenya's maturing democracy
Mental Acrobatics on Kenya Election 2007: “Despite the political heat there are many signs that we are a rapidly maturing democracy. I have seen people from across the political divide sit and debate the merits and demerits of their candidates vigorously but without the traditional violence.”
Kenya: Blogging the election
Kenyan blogger, Kenyan Pundit, writes her observations of the election day: ‘Ballot papers were not on site like they are supposed to be. They only got delivered at 8:00 am, leading to lots of agitation among the crowd that had turned up early to vote. The crowd finally broke the...
Zimbabwe: Currency fiasco
Kubatana blog on the Zimbabwe's currency fiasco: “So, I’m not sure what it says about the Reserve Bank Governor Gideon Gono’s attachment issues, that he’s not willing to let go of a few zeroes in our currency and make all of our lives a whole lot simpler by introducing some...
D.R. of Congo: The Batwa people
AfricaBeat on the Batwa from the Democratic Republic of Congo: “The Batwa people were traditionally hunter-gatherers. In Eastern Congo, they lived off what the forest provided, until prolonged warfare and the creation of national parks ended their way of life.”
