Ndesanjo Macha · August, 2010

Latest posts by Ndesanjo Macha from August, 2010

Cameroon: Prisoner of conscience Lapiro de Mbanga

  31 August 2010

Emeka writes about Cameroonian prisoner of conscience Lapiro de Mbanga: “Amid nationwide strikes and mass demonstrations, popular singer Lapiro de Mbanga, who had demanded that the president resign, was arrested and charged with inciting youth unrest. In September he was jailed for three years…”

Gambia: The Smiling Coast of Africa

  31 August 2010

Travel journalist Tony Knight blogs about his visit to Gambia: “The Gambians you meet are friendly and engaging. There is a level of bumster activity intent of selling you refreshments, gifts and tours. Having got their measure though, look beyond at the genuine welcome you get everywhere.”

Nigeria: Nigerian Spoken Word Crusader

  31 August 2010

Jibola introduces you to Plumbtifex, the Nigerian spoken word crusader:”As a person, he embodies an activist in all that he is. His dissatisfaction with all that is wrong with the Nigerian situation and general societal ills already mark him different.”

Africa: Maker Faire Africa 2010: First Day

  30 August 2010

Photos and first day account of Maker Faire Africa 2010: “This year, besides having jua kali creators from Kenya, we also have makers from Uganda, Rwanda, Ghana, Malawi, Nigeria and South Africa. It’s a great turnout, and continues the tradition from Ghana last year.We’re seeing all kinds of incredible ideas...

Kenya: My Take on Ngugi Wa Thiong'o's Autobiography

  30 August 2010

Njeri Wangari reviews Ngugi Wa Thiongo's new autobiography: “Dreams in a Time of War… let you get an understanding of Ngugi that you probably have never before. We all to tend to think that Ngugi a radical who is too pragmatic about use of his mothertongue only drawing his characters...

Ethiopia/Eritrea: Languages spoken in Ethiopia/Eritrea

  28 August 2010

Learn about languages spoken in Ethiopia and Eritrea:”Amharic is the dominant and official language of Ethiopia.Whereas Eritrea does not have any official languages but English, Italian, Tigrinya, and Arabic are languages which are commonly used in official communication.”

Cameroon: A white person is eating me

  28 August 2010

Christina is an American volunteer in Cameroon. She has met a man who needs her help because,”He tells me that a white person is inside threatening his mother. And then the next day it is that a white person is eating him.”

Togo: Computer Camp in Togo

  28 August 2010

Life of an American volunteer in Togo:”In the beginning of June, we held our computer camp! The boys came the first three days and the girls came the three days after that. Everything actually went really smoothly.”

Ghana: Recycled Bolga Baskets

  27 August 2010

Photos of recycled Bolga baskets from Ghana: “But this is not crappy marketing, this is just being honest. These baskets go quickly. So quickly that the photos to show from last week’s delivery are redundant because the damned things sold out already.”

Nigeria: Am I the last hope of my generation?

  27 August 2010

Nigerian blogger Adeola asks, “Am I the last hope of my generation?”: “Nollywood is torn apart by the amount of money that its members will receive for the support or campaign for Jonathan. One useless group called NIGERIA ECOWAS YOUTH or Nigerian Youths in ECOWAS has promised to open a...

Uganda: The Expat/Ugandan Dynamic

  27 August 2010

Mark Jordahl discusses corruption allegation at Uganda Wildlife Authority and lessons to be learnt about the dynamic between foreign experts and Ugandans: I believe that for some, there is a tendency to assume we mzungus bring more to the table than we actually do.”

Ghana: Is Mario Balotelli Italian or Ghanaian?

  25 August 2010

Is Mario Balotelli Ghanaian or Italian? That's the question that has created a heated debate online. Mario Barwuah Balotelli is a football striker playing for Manchester City and Italian national team. He was born to Ghanaian immigrants in Italy.

Ghana: A plea for music education

  24 August 2010

Graham's plea for music education in Ghana: “Bedsides football, music is perhaps one of the most loved things in Ghana yet considered to be the most trivial when it comes to education or career choices.”

Benin: Traveler Recounts Experience at Porga Border

  24 August 2010

Toyin Ajao recounts his horrific experience at Porga border in Benin:”When it was my turn, the officer in charge asked me to pay 5,000cfa to get my passport stamped and I asked why it was so. He did not bother to answer me but commanded me to leave his sight...