In a quest to accelerate political and economic integration in Africa, 12 countries are meeting in Arusha to deliberate on a proposed Union Government for Africa. Member states set to attend are Botswana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Libya, Nigeria, Senegal, Uganda, South Africa and Tanzania.
A union of this kind excites me for several reason. I hope that African leaders can begin to hold themselves accountable for democratic issues and human rights violations occurring in their countries, as there would be a direct effect on their economic stability and that of others in the union. I can only see such a union making countries stronger and making other African countries (especially those not in the union) less dependent on Western aid. I also hope that it would encourage a more communal spirit between nations. Though, I notice the only countries represented in the union that have a a bit of conflict are Cameroon and Nigeria (though it has been moderated through the ICC and has been fairly small scale), I would hope that a union such as this would help to reduce, if not obliterate violent conflict between states, especially members and those who seek to join. Ghana, being named the most peaceful country in Africa serves as a great leader for the continent and I hope to see the union succeed and flourish.
5.22.2008
5.19.2008
The Fight Against Immigrants
In the US, immigration has become a widely contested issue as the economy declines. Many citizens contend that immigrants take jobs from away from them and are demanding that the US tighten their borders.
This weekend in South Africa, the battle against immigration took on a more violent persona as 22 foreigners were killed and over 6,000 forced to flee. Native South Africans in the townships of Johannesburg attacked other Africans who they felt were taking their jobs and benefiting from social services.
It's truly unfortunate that economic conditions have forced Africans to abandon their communal and hospitable spirit. Most of the foreigners killed were from Zimbabwe (up to 3 million Zimbabweans live in South Africa), where they are escaping government persecution and extreme poverty. However, they have been blamed for much of South Africa's own social and economic problems including unemployment, housing shortages, and an extremely high crime level. Many have decided to return home rather than continue to face the violent attacks in South Africa.
Nigerians, Malawians, and Mozambicans were also reported to be recipients of the violence, which include savage beatings, rape, and people being burnt alive. More than 200 perpetrators have been arrested, but mobs are still roaming the streets in search of foreigners and looting and burning their businesses.
5.15.2008
Humanity Before Politics
Relations between Somalians and Ethiopians in Mogadishu have been marked by distrust and conflict due to Ethiopia's support of the interim Somali government. However, in the midst of the current food crisis, Ethiopian troops in Mogadishu were able to put aside political feelings and channel their humanitarian spirit. The soldiers raised a collection with their own salaries and bought and distributed food to needy families in Mogadishu.
This was more than necessary on the brink of a series of food riots, that left two protesters dead.
This was more than necessary on the brink of a series of food riots, that left two protesters dead.
5.14.2008
Don't Act Foolish, Zimbabwe
For over a month now, supporters of the opposition party and critics of the government have been harassed, detained, abused, and even killed in Zimbabwe. More recently, these bullies have foolishly turned their aggression on US diplomats in the country. Unable to turn their heads to the post election violence plaguing citizens in Zimbabwe, US ambassadors and other diplomats visited victims in the hospitals and on their way back were held hostage at a roadblock for almost two hours, while they were questioned by security officials for their reason of being there. Though none of the diplomats were harmed during the verbal altercation, I hope that the ruling party in Zimbabwe realizes that this type of behavior will only bring more attention to their human rights abuses and hopefully more countries will demand transparency in their current democratic system and a legitimate ruler will soon rise to power.
More recently, citizens have used very novel ways of protesting the government's repression. Hackers shut down the Herald newspaper website, regarded as the official mouthpiece of President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.
More recently, citizens have used very novel ways of protesting the government's repression. Hackers shut down the Herald newspaper website, regarded as the official mouthpiece of President Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.
5.12.2008
Saddest Thing I've Heard All Day
"When I grow up, I want to go to Africa and civilize people and teach them how to be good." - Bruce, a seven year old child on "Seven Up!"
This evening I began watching the "Seven Up!" series. If you haven't heard of it, it's a series that was produced decades ago in England. A group of fourteen seven-year-olds were chosen and filmed every seven years of their life until the turn of the century. They are chosen to represent different socioeconomic backgrounds. All of the children are White, except for one mixed boy, who doesn't seem to realize that he is half Black at this point.
The child who I quoted, Bruce, comes from a quite privileged background and is attending a boarding school. He has traveled to Africa before and claims to have a girlfriend waiting for him there, but sadly, even at his young age, he is still able to articulate such a negative ,yet innocent, view of Africa.
This evening I began watching the "Seven Up!" series. If you haven't heard of it, it's a series that was produced decades ago in England. A group of fourteen seven-year-olds were chosen and filmed every seven years of their life until the turn of the century. They are chosen to represent different socioeconomic backgrounds. All of the children are White, except for one mixed boy, who doesn't seem to realize that he is half Black at this point.
The child who I quoted, Bruce, comes from a quite privileged background and is attending a boarding school. He has traveled to Africa before and claims to have a girlfriend waiting for him there, but sadly, even at his young age, he is still able to articulate such a negative ,yet innocent, view of Africa.
Turmoil In Khartoum
This weekend marked one of unimaginable turmoil in Khartoum as rebels attacked the city center. Bystanders reported that they could hear rounds of gunfire from the malls and airport. This is the closest rebels have ever been to Khartoum, prompting a 5pm curfew over the weekend and resulting in about 65 deaths.
The rebels came from the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM), allegedly backed by neighboring Chad.
As a result, Sudan has cut ties with Chad and has threatened retaliation.
The government contends that they have defeated the rebels. However, Khalil Ibrahim, leader of the JEMs, has contended that the attacks will not end until they take over the capital.
Operation Rudi Nyumbani
Kenya has begun the process of resettling those displaced due to election violence, dubbed: Operation Rudi Nyumbani. Though, many have told the government that they will not return home until they are compensated for their loss. They say that they are not being properly ensured that their resettlements will be facilitated. and have also complained of inadequate protection in their home communities.
In response, the government has begun a quest to raise $500 million to help the IDPs return home. Some feel that though this may be necessary because of the loss many IDPs have suffered, the Kenyan government has dug a deep hole for itself by promising compensation to those that were displaced. There has already been a trend of people not living in camps, traveling to them in order to receive aid. How will the government control and verify that those who were actually displaced receive compensation. More importantly, where will the government get the funds to compensate the hundreds of thousands of people who were displaced? Election violence is nothing new to Kenya. And though the most recent wave of violence was on a larger scale, political conflict has plagued the region since its independence and is highly foreseeable in the future. As well intentioned as compensation is, it is not a wise precedent to set if it cannot be immediately fulfilled or maintained in the coming years.
In response, the government has begun a quest to raise $500 million to help the IDPs return home. Some feel that though this may be necessary because of the loss many IDPs have suffered, the Kenyan government has dug a deep hole for itself by promising compensation to those that were displaced. There has already been a trend of people not living in camps, traveling to them in order to receive aid. How will the government control and verify that those who were actually displaced receive compensation. More importantly, where will the government get the funds to compensate the hundreds of thousands of people who were displaced? Election violence is nothing new to Kenya. And though the most recent wave of violence was on a larger scale, political conflict has plagued the region since its independence and is highly foreseeable in the future. As well intentioned as compensation is, it is not a wise precedent to set if it cannot be immediately fulfilled or maintained in the coming years.
I Couldn't Have Said It Better Myself!
Everyone once in a while, I come across an article that I can really appreciate. I feel no need to summarize or even comment much on it, because I couldn't have said it better myself! The following outlines why the lack of support given to students in African Universities will prevent them from developing and producing successful unique ventures.
Africa: Why Continent May Never Produce a Facebook
Mfonobong Nsehe
Randall Pinkett is a nice guy. You've probably heard of him. He's the savvy Rhodes MBA scholar, self-made millionaire entrepreneur, author, coach and motivational speaker who beat 17 other contestants to clinch the plum job in the fourth season edition of Real Estate tycoon, Donald Trump's famed and widely syndicated 'Apprentice' reality TV show.
As an author, Randall has written a book that would definitely be a student entrepreneur's delight. It is a very practical how-to guide for aspiring student entrepreneurs on how to successfully launch and run a profitable business while still in school. The title of the book is 'Campus CEO: The student entrepreneur's guide to launching a multi-million dollar business.'
In the book, Randall wrote a chapter that I found very interesting. It was on the issue of financing the businesses of student entrepreneurs.
As Randall noted, several universities in the United States and other more-developed countries of the world are very supportive of student entrepreneurs.
Many universities organise annual business plan competitions in their campuses in which students present their business ideas and business plans before a committee of well-established, seasoned and experienced business scholars, analysts and venture capitalists who review the students' prospective business plans.
At the end of the day, based on the strengths and prospects of their respective business plans, winners are selected and these winners stand to win cash prizes ranging from $10,000, $20,000, and in some cases, even as much as $100,000 to boost their start-up businesses.
Even for those students who do not win these University Business plan competitions, a coterie of venture capitalists scout through the business plan entries, eagerly seeking potential ventures to finance. Many big time corporations eventually spring up from these business plan competitions. Elsewhere, venture capitalists consider Universities the best place to find start-up companies that would be the 'Next big thing.'
But let's take a trip down to African Colleges and Universities. Are there any universities at all which are as supportive of student entrepreneurs as to organizing business plan competitions to fund businesses of students which have mega potential?
In the West, universities are eager to support student entrepreneurs in their campuses and even go out of their way looking for students with exceptional business ideas. Due to this kind of support, many big time corporations have sprung up from dormitory rooms in campuses from the United States. Apart from the fact that massive corporations are established, the schools where these ventures are established are instantly propelled to world fame.
Stanford University, for instance will forever occupy a pride of place among the list of the world's most elite Universities considering that companies like Yahoo and Google sprung up from there.
But how about Universities in Africa- Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria or Uganda? Where are you going to find venture capitalists in Kenya or elsewhere in Africa who will be willing to swallow their pride and listen to a student entrepreneur who is armed with nothing but a world-shaking idea? All the brightest ideas need not come from the West alone.
Truth is, many African students also have potential earth-shaking ideas-maybe even bigger than Google, Yahoo, Dell and Napster (all ventures begun by student entrepreneurs), but they are still waiting to see the light of day due to lack of capital. African entrepreneur students equally have business ideas that can grow into a big corporation, change the world and make lots of money.
A close friend of mine in Nigeria once had a crazy technology idea which needed only a few hundred thousand dollars to kick off with. Approaching banks and other so-called 'venture capitalists', he was snubbed extensively, discouraged and told to face his studies. Annoyed and frustrated, he eventually got a study abroad scholarship.
Within six months of staying in Canada, he secured the funding he needed, and as I write, his company's value is in the multi-million dollar range. As much as I know, his financiers have had an almost 200 per cent return on their investment in barely 12 months of operation.
We have such bright student entrepreneurs in Africa. But until African financiers and the self-proclaimed 'Venture capitalists' are easily accessible and listen to student entrepreneurs in our African Universities, Africa may never have its own answers to such mega, internationally famed corporations like Google, Yahoo, TicketAdvantage, CollegeHumor and Facebook which were all the brainchildren of student entrepreneurs.
We need financiers who will believe in and support the dreams of African student entrepreneurs and get those big ideas out of the boxes and into the pages of history. African student entrepreneurs are equally as smart, gifted and visionary and if supported can come up with big, world-changing ideas that would change the world.
And so, will the venture capitalists in Africa please stand up?
Africa: Why Continent May Never Produce a Facebook
Mfonobong Nsehe
Randall Pinkett is a nice guy. You've probably heard of him. He's the savvy Rhodes MBA scholar, self-made millionaire entrepreneur, author, coach and motivational speaker who beat 17 other contestants to clinch the plum job in the fourth season edition of Real Estate tycoon, Donald Trump's famed and widely syndicated 'Apprentice' reality TV show.
As an author, Randall has written a book that would definitely be a student entrepreneur's delight. It is a very practical how-to guide for aspiring student entrepreneurs on how to successfully launch and run a profitable business while still in school. The title of the book is 'Campus CEO: The student entrepreneur's guide to launching a multi-million dollar business.'
In the book, Randall wrote a chapter that I found very interesting. It was on the issue of financing the businesses of student entrepreneurs.
As Randall noted, several universities in the United States and other more-developed countries of the world are very supportive of student entrepreneurs.
Many universities organise annual business plan competitions in their campuses in which students present their business ideas and business plans before a committee of well-established, seasoned and experienced business scholars, analysts and venture capitalists who review the students' prospective business plans.
At the end of the day, based on the strengths and prospects of their respective business plans, winners are selected and these winners stand to win cash prizes ranging from $10,000, $20,000, and in some cases, even as much as $100,000 to boost their start-up businesses.
Even for those students who do not win these University Business plan competitions, a coterie of venture capitalists scout through the business plan entries, eagerly seeking potential ventures to finance. Many big time corporations eventually spring up from these business plan competitions. Elsewhere, venture capitalists consider Universities the best place to find start-up companies that would be the 'Next big thing.'
But let's take a trip down to African Colleges and Universities. Are there any universities at all which are as supportive of student entrepreneurs as to organizing business plan competitions to fund businesses of students which have mega potential?
In the West, universities are eager to support student entrepreneurs in their campuses and even go out of their way looking for students with exceptional business ideas. Due to this kind of support, many big time corporations have sprung up from dormitory rooms in campuses from the United States. Apart from the fact that massive corporations are established, the schools where these ventures are established are instantly propelled to world fame.
Stanford University, for instance will forever occupy a pride of place among the list of the world's most elite Universities considering that companies like Yahoo and Google sprung up from there.
But how about Universities in Africa- Kenya, Tanzania, Nigeria or Uganda? Where are you going to find venture capitalists in Kenya or elsewhere in Africa who will be willing to swallow their pride and listen to a student entrepreneur who is armed with nothing but a world-shaking idea? All the brightest ideas need not come from the West alone.
Truth is, many African students also have potential earth-shaking ideas-maybe even bigger than Google, Yahoo, Dell and Napster (all ventures begun by student entrepreneurs), but they are still waiting to see the light of day due to lack of capital. African entrepreneur students equally have business ideas that can grow into a big corporation, change the world and make lots of money.
A close friend of mine in Nigeria once had a crazy technology idea which needed only a few hundred thousand dollars to kick off with. Approaching banks and other so-called 'venture capitalists', he was snubbed extensively, discouraged and told to face his studies. Annoyed and frustrated, he eventually got a study abroad scholarship.
Within six months of staying in Canada, he secured the funding he needed, and as I write, his company's value is in the multi-million dollar range. As much as I know, his financiers have had an almost 200 per cent return on their investment in barely 12 months of operation.
We have such bright student entrepreneurs in Africa. But until African financiers and the self-proclaimed 'Venture capitalists' are easily accessible and listen to student entrepreneurs in our African Universities, Africa may never have its own answers to such mega, internationally famed corporations like Google, Yahoo, TicketAdvantage, CollegeHumor and Facebook which were all the brainchildren of student entrepreneurs.
We need financiers who will believe in and support the dreams of African student entrepreneurs and get those big ideas out of the boxes and into the pages of history. African student entrepreneurs are equally as smart, gifted and visionary and if supported can come up with big, world-changing ideas that would change the world.
And so, will the venture capitalists in Africa please stand up?
I'm Not Mad At Her
A woman in South Africa proved to her estranged husband that he would regret not paying her alimony. And I am not mad at her method. It looks like her husband deserved this public shame!
5.02.2008
Results Finally Released in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe has finally released the results of their presidential election. To no surprise, Morgan Tsvangirai won.
Unfortunately, he only won with 47.9% of the vote (to Mugabe's 43.2%), so there will have to be a runoff election. This is why since the elections, Mugabe has been arresting and abusing supporters of the opposition party so that they will not come out to vote in the runoff. Hopefully, the next round of elections will be peaceful and Zimbabwe can finally be freed from a 28 year old dictatorship.
Unfortunately, he only won with 47.9% of the vote (to Mugabe's 43.2%), so there will have to be a runoff election. This is why since the elections, Mugabe has been arresting and abusing supporters of the opposition party so that they will not come out to vote in the runoff. Hopefully, the next round of elections will be peaceful and Zimbabwe can finally be freed from a 28 year old dictatorship.
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