Ndesanjo Macha · November, 2009

Latest posts by Ndesanjo Macha from November, 2009

Africa: Why are African intellectuals so depressing?

  28 November 2009

Why are African intellectuals so depressing?, wonders Kenyan blogger Kaasa: “Hello! Today on my way back to the hotel, I saw the current Oct-Dec 2009 BBC Focus on Africa magazine at a newsstand and read Mukoma wa Ngugi’s article “We Are Sailing”. My goodness. Talk about a super depressingly-depressing article.

Namibia: A quick update from VSO volunteer

  28 November 2009

A quick update from a VSO volunteer in Namibia: “As part of the immunisation program I’ve been on two crazy adventures into the deepest darkest Namibian bush, over mountains and through deserts (literally) to take nurses and other health staff out to do health education and immunisations.”

Nigeria: Nigeria manufactures armoured vehicle

  28 November 2009

Nigeria's first locally manufactured armoured carrier was built by two Nigerian brothers, Victor and Johnson Obasa, who recently returned from the U.S. hoping to use their talents in boosting security and creating employment, Euro-Africa reports.

Namibia: Namibia elections 2009 mashup

  28 November 2009

Namibia citizens can submit reports of election related incidents to Namibia Elections 2009 site, “By sending a message to 0855900886. By sending an email to namibianrights@gmail.com. By filling a form at the website.”

Malawi: President seeking more power

  24 November 2009

Malawian President wants more power!: “Malawian President Bingu wa Mutharika, whose party enjoys a parliamentray majority, is seeking to beef up his powers before he exits the political stage in 2014.”

Malawi: Should there be a Sex Workers Bill

  20 November 2009

Marshal discusses Sex Workers Bill in Malawi: “Recent media reports pointing that the government intends to come up with a Sex Worker’s Bill with an aim of protecting sex workers in the country, shocked quite a few of us.”

Africa: Google sponsors Kiswahili Wikipedia Challenge

  18 November 2009

Google is pushing for more content on Kiswahili Wikipedia through Kiswahili Wikipedia Challenge: We invite you to take part in this challenge to create Wikipedia articles in Kiswahili. We hope to make the online experience richer and more relevant for 100 million African users who speak Kiswahili.

Cameroon: On Catholicism, abortion and homosexuality

  17 November 2009

Rosemary Ekosso discusses the politics of abortion and homosexuality in Cameroon: “As a woman, I have learnt by trial and error (mostly error) not to believe automatically what large groups of men tell me. When the group is as large and exclusive of females (don’t give me that guff about...

Kenya: Who will pay for Kenya's new constitution?

  17 November 2009

Opalo wonders who will pay for Kenya's new constitution: “290 members of parliament. 100 Senators. Several regions and more than 70 counties. These are among the new burdens that will be added onto the load currently weighing down the Kenyan taxpayer.”

Mali: My Mali visa experience

  17 November 2009

Dino's visa experience at Mali embassy: “My Mali experience made me think about the visa experiences both with South -South travels, and South-North travels. I also thought of what it meant to be a North-South traveller. South-South Travels were clearly much easier than South-North travels. Just recently, there has been...

Africa: Allah is not obliged

  17 November 2009

Sokari reviews Ahmadou Kourouma's novel, Allah is not obliged: “There are three sets of interwoven stories. The story of Birahima and his many wanderings with different militias across the region which makes a mockery of the artificial boundaries created by colonial rulers – only tribes not countries have meaning in...

Malawi: No guts, No Glory

  17 November 2009

No Guts, No Glory is a story from Lilongwe Writers Circle: “First disappointment – no booze. Secondly, it was full of young, enthusiastic, teetotallers – us alcoholic grannies didn’t know anyone. Thirdly, since when was spirituality a requirement for humanitarian interest?”

South Africa: It was good food and wine

  16 November 2009

Travelwires’ post about Good Food and Wine show in South Africa: “According to Cashmore, record crowds thronged through the entrances to see, taste, participate and buy. Many of the visitors came back for a second and even a third time.”