Blogger, journalist, lawyer, digital activist and new media consultant. Ndesanjo Macha is interested in the relationship between social media and development in the developing world, particularly Sub-Saharan Africa.
Macha was formerly, Global Voices’ Sub-Saharan Africa Editor. Follow me on Twitter: @ndesanjo
Latest posts by Ndesanjo Macha from October, 2008
Zambia: Allegations of Vote Rigging
Was there rigging in yesterday's Presidential election in Zambia?: “Meanwhile, allegations of vote rigging and administrative chaos have dominated Zambia's presidential by-election. Concerns of vote rigging reached fever pitch with opposition candidate Michael Sata pointing a finger at the police and the army.”
Zambia: Photo of Main Opposition Candidate Voting
Flickr photo of the main opposition candidate in the Presidential election in Zambia, Michael Satta, voting on October 30, 2008.
South Africa: The Impact of Mobile Active '08
A video podcast shot at Mobile Active Conference in South Africa: “In the first interview, David Barnard, Executive Director of the Southern African Non-Governmental Organisation Network (SANGONeT) and organizer of MobileActive08, talks about the event and how it will impact activities at SANGONet.”
Zambia: Zambia Election Website
Cho posts a link to a website with election results in Zambia: “All the latest “unoffical” results can be found on the Zambia Election Results website.”
D.R. of Congo: Blogging From the War Zone
The following are eye-witness accounts from bloggers based in the Eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo about the situation in the area following fresh clashes between rebels, government and UN forces.
D.R. of Congo: Ranger rescue operation a success
A moving account of a rescue operation in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “The rescue operation yesterday was a success in that we were able to rescue the 12 Rangers with whom we had made contact. Eddy and I rode the motorbike about 15km north of Goma and then walked...
D.R. of Congo: It is total chaos in Goma
Samantha writes about the latest fighting in the Democratic Republic of Congo: “It’s total chaos in Goma. I am being told, through various phone calls and text messages, that the army have now laid down their weapons at Kibumba, 12 miles north of Goma, and are fleeing the rebels. In...
Zambian Bloggers Discuss Presidential Election
Zambian blogger Kaela Mulenga writes, "Thursday, October 30, 2008, is the day set aside in Zambia as a presidential ‘by-election’ date to replace the just deceased President Levy Mwanawasa (Levy). Mwanawasa had a stroke and passed away in a Paris hospital on August 19, 2008.
Sudan: Humanitarian Access in Darfur
Jacky discusses humanitarian access in Darfur, Sudan: “Media reports this week cite growing concern over ‘denial of humanitarian access’ in Darfur. Although such denial certainly exists, many of the actors being denied – in the form of travel bans, visa refusals, car-jacking, etc – are not strict ‘humanitarians,’ but a...
Zambia: What Type of President Do We Need in Zambia?
Zambian blogger, Percy Mwale, asks, “What type of President do we need in Zambia and what type of parliament will ensure prosperity?” She continues: “Firstly, all MPs must be mature enough to support any progressive move or bill in parliament, to the benefit of all Zambians not just a party,...
Nigerian Blogger Arrested For Sponsoring a ‘Guerilla News Agency’
Nigerian blogger, Jonathan Elendu, has been arrested by the State Security Service (SSS), the federal security enforcement agency in Nigeria. Jonathan Elendu created Elendu Reports in 2005. It is an online news site focusing on federal corruption, economic mismanagement and government inefficiency.
Ghana: Supporters of Two Main Parties Clash
Ghana Elections blog reports election-related violence in Ghana: “The violence in the run-up to December 7 is unabated as supporters of the two main parties have yet again clashed in the Volta Regional capital Ho.”
Nigeria: Blogger Arrested
Nigerian Curiosity writes about the arrested Nigerian blogger: “Jonathan Elendu, the writer at Elendu Reports, was arrested by Nigeria's SSS on Saturday evening upon arrival in Nigeria from the United States. Elendu was reportedly arrested to answer questions because his ‘activities’ have allegedly generated some national security issues.”
Zimbabwe: Freedom Fone Project
Brett blogs about Kubatana's Freedom Fone Project in Zimbabwe: “It involves providing radio-like audio content via interactive menu response by use of phones. Users can call up the service, and choose from a menu, to access audio items they with to listen to: news headlines, a feature, music and inspirational...
Kelele '09: African Bloggers’ Conference
Kelele is the Kiswahili word for noise. It is the name given to a gathering of African bloggers in the tradition of historical African societies where everyone has a voice. With too many voices marginalised or simply ignored in Africa society today for a variety of reasons, the organisers believe that the Internet in general and grassroots media tools such as blogs in particular represent the most powerful way in which to give Africans back their voice.
Ghana: Presidential Candidate Wants Electoral Commission in Court
The Electoral Commission in Ghana is accused of disqualifying a presidential candidate: “[H]aving failed to successfully filed his nomination forms to contest the December elections, Mr. Dan Lartey, flag-bearer of the Great Consolidated Popular Party (GCPP), is nursing a plan to drag Ghana's electoral body to court for “deliberately” refusing...
Nigeria: Web 2.0 Aggregator for Nigeria?
Loy asks, “Isn't it time for a Wb 2.0 aggregator for Nigeria”: I think I won’t be wrong to say that the only web 2.0 technology that Nigeria has ever brought to the web space to date is Sturvs, Nigeria’s version of Digg. Thanks to sturvs, we now have a...
Botswana: Mogae Receives The Mo Ibrahim Award
The Mo Ibrahim Award goes to the former President of Botswana: “Mogae becomes the second recipient of the prestigious annual award. The Mo Ibrahim Award is the biggest individual prize in the world. The inaugural prize went to former Mozambican President Joachim Chisano last year.”
Africa: 7 Rules of Innovation
White African writes about Ethan's 7 rules of innovation in Africa: “Ethan Zuckerman has produced yet another amazing thought piece. This time, he’s talking about innovation in Africa and how that is brought about by resource constraints.”
Africa: 2008 African Junior Chess Championship
Marcashton writes about 2008 Junior Chess Championship in South Africa: “Under the auspices of the African Chess Union, Chess South Africa has the honour of inviting African Federations affiliated to FIDE to participate in the 2008 African Junior Chess Championship and African Girls Chess Championship.”
South Africa: ANC Youth League is a disgrace
The ANC Youth League in South Africa is a disgrace: “It has come to a point where I have to mention in blank terms that the ANCYL has lost the plot. This is the same origination that presents itself to be the voice of the youth. Which youth? I happen...
