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 July, 2012
Tanzania: ‘Don't Drown’ SMS-Based Maritime Early Warning System
"Tanzania has few if any rivals for numbers of boat deaths over the last couple of decades," says the founder of Usizame, Rachel Hamada. Usizame is a free SMS-based ferry check-in and alert system designed to help prevent marine accidents in Tanzania.
Africa: Contemporary African Artistry Online
Usanii Afrika is a blog that showcases contemporary African artistry: “Usanii Afrika (meaning Artistry Africa in Swahili) is a blog born out of passion. Innately creative herself, blogger, Kirsty Macdonald has had a life long love affair with the arts and self expression.”
Africa: Speaking My Language
Read Ngugi wa Thiong’o's address at the 2012 Sunday Times Literary Awards in South Africa: “One of the basic, most fundamental means of individual and communal self realization is language. That’s why the right to language is a human right, like all the other rights, enshrined in the constitution. It’s...
Kenya: Schoolgirl Skirts-How Short is Too Short?
Kenyan Education Minister Mutula Kilonzo defense of schoolgirls who want the length of their skirts reduced has sparked a debate about culture, modernity and morality in Kenya. Kenyan media quoted the minister saying, "These girls do not want to be nuns; they want to be modern like Mutula!"
Africa: Digital Citizen Indaba 7
Digital Citizen Indaba 7 is coming: “In recent years we discussed the role of bloggers during disasters, we showed the latest digital tools in activism and continued the conversation about the digital gap.This year we propose to tackle two hot items: African digital outcasts and Internet privacy.”
South Africa: #HowMandelaSoldUsOut
An open letter to Nelson Mandela published on South Africa's premier news site News24, argues that the iconic leader 'sold out' black South Africans in negotiations that ended the Apartheid system. #HowMandelaSoldUsOut started trending on Twitter soon after its publication.
Africa: African Women on Fire
Rumbidzai Dube explains why 2012 is the year for African women: “2012 has been a progressive year for African women in global politics. In April Joyce Banda of Malawi became the first ever female president of Malawi and the Second Female president in Africa […]Just yesterday, Dr Nkosana Dhlamini-Zuma became...
Kenya: Mau Mau Freedom Fighters Take Battle to British Court
Three former Mau Mau freedom fighters have taken the British government to the High Court in London demanding an apology and damages for brutality they suffered during the British colonial rule in Kenya. Tweets are pouring in in support of their fight for justice. @JeromeTaylor and @TandemLaw are tweeting live from the courtroom.
South Sudan: One Year After Becoming World's Newest Nation
South Sudanese have just celebrated their first anniversary of independence. South Sudan's independence was declared on 9 July, 2011 when it became world’s newest country. This is a roundup of blog posts written to mark one year of independence from Sudan.
Kenya: Gospel Rapper to Screen Connections Documentary
Gospel rapper Juliani will screen his Connections Documentary on July 1 at the Dandora Stadium. This documentary is a culmination of his Kama Si Sisi countrywide tours that has seen him urge the youth to believe in themselves and think about leadership, Hot Secrets reports.
Somalia: Speaker Urges People to Support Draft Constitution
The speaker of Somali parliament Sharif Hassan Sheik Aden, called on Wednesday upon the people of Somalia to support new draft constitution for the country, Shabelle Media Network reports.
