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 July, 2010
Kenya: Netizens Discuss Kenya's Referendum
Bloggers are discussing Kenya's referendum on the proposed new constitution, which will take place on on August 4, 2010.The campaigns for the referendum involved two camps: “Yes” camp led by the Kenyan President and the Prime Minister and “No” camp led by the church.
Ghana: New Ghanaian movie
MightAfrican writes about a new movie from Ghana, Sinking Sands: “Recently, Leila sent me the trailer for the movie. “Sinking Sands” is about a couple, Jimah (Jimmy Jean-Louis from Haiti) and Pabi (Ama K. Abebrese from Ghana) in a loving marriage which turns into one of violence and abuse when...
Kenya: Mobile Payment Revolution
Erik looks at mobile payment services in Kenya: “Kenya is quickly gaining a competitive advantage in the mobile payments space. Led by mobile operator giant Safaricom with their Mpesa product, the market locally sees huge value in mobile money transactions.”
Kenya: Support for Alcoholic Drinks Bill
Alan Masakhalia features on Mzalendo Vox Pop arguing that the Kenyan President should assent to the Alcoholic Drinks Bill. Mzalendo Vox Pop is a feature readers share their views on their constituency.
Africa: Should Africa care about space exploration?
Should Africa care about space exploration?: “As Africans, we have always had an interest in the sky – the Dogon of Mali were found to have an advanced astronomical knowledge without the use of telescopes.”
Niger: Niger's silent crisis
Watch a video of Niger's silent crisis where 7.1 million people face hunger.
South Africa: Translation of Miriam Makeba's Hapo Zamani
“Thanks to our Facebook page, African music fans from South African and Kenya were able to get the story behind this late Miriam Makeba song,” writes Chale of African music blog, Museke. The song is in Swahili and Xhosa.
Nigeria: Literary prize money that never comes
Jeremy Nigerian writers who never receive their prize money: “There is a general pattern emerging with the award of literary prizes in Nigeria. The delighted author or poet hears the good news and attends the award ceremony…And then the prize money never comes.”
Angola: A short lesson in Angolan music
A short lesson in Angolan music from Isacorreia: “Semba is a typical Angolan genre rooted in traditional carnival rhythms, such as kilapanga, rebita, kazukuta and kabetula…Kizomba is a new Afro style and semba is an old one.”
Nigeria: Reflections from AIDS2010
Nigerian blogger's reflections of AIDS2010: “It has been my pleasure to share with you some of my reflections from AIDS2010, from a Nigerian perspective. I have not covered in detail a lot of the interesting scientific issues emerging from the conference.”
Nigeria: 50 years of hopelessness
Adeola writes about Nigerias “50 years of hopelessness”: “We have complained that it is morally wrong for Nigeria to celebrate the 50th year anniversary in an ostentatious manner because of the resounding failure of the various governments since 1960.”
Zimbabwe: Constitutional Outreach
Bev Clark reports that constitutional outreach meetings held by the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition in Zimbabwe.
South Africa: What would you ask God if you had the chance?
Last week, South African blogger Khaya Dhlanga asked people on the “Internets” what they would ask God if he said they could ask him anything. He has posted some of the answers on his blog. One reader, Busi31, for example, would like to ask: "Can you also make me turn water into wine?"
Ghana: Meet Co-founder of Global Voices Online in Accra
Are you a blogger or a social media activist living or visiting Ghana, especially Accra? Meet-up with follow the co-founder of Global Voices Online, Ethan Zuckerman, this weekend.
Ghana: Ghana's Police Force Online
Emmanuel is happy about Ghana's police force being online: “That they have a website, which can be reached at http://www.ghanapolice.info/main.htm can only go to confirm that they're well-ensconced in the 21st century.”
Malawi: An eye on charcoal trade
An eye on the charcoal trade in Malawi: “Like the rest of the world, forests in Malawi play a vital role. They are the engine of survival to millions of poor Malawians, but at the rate with which forests are being cleared, mainly through illegal logging and burn agriculture, the...
Niger: Offering choices to unheard voices
Niall Tierney writes Concern Worldwide and hunger in Niger: “Concern launched an early, groundbreaking response using “short-harvest” seed varieties, mobile phone technology and cash, and emergency nutrition programs to reach the most vulnerable before the food ran out…”
Africa: Maker Faire Africa 2010 T-Shirt Design Competition
“In celebrating African creativity; Maker Faire Africa 2010 and African Digital Art network are partnering up to encourage designers throughout Africa to showcase their talent through a T-Shirt Design Competition,” writes Ghanaian blogger Mac-Jordan.
South Africa: Mandela not the greatest in Africa
Nana Yaw Sarpong argues that Mandela is a great South African but not the greatest in Africa: “But I have wondered why the rest of the world hails Mandela so much.”
Nigeria: Nollywood movies online
TechMasai writes about Izogmovies: “Izogmovies is a Nigerian start-up which streams Nollywood movies online. At Izogmovies you can watch one free film after sign up, or pay the membership fee to access their entire database.”
East Africa: Whive: Connecting Africa
Watch a promotional documentary about Whive. Whive is an East African social network created by a Kenyan entrepreneur.
