An interview with Ory Okolloh

Ory Okolloh, is a Kenyan activist and Africa's prominent blogger. She runs kenyanpundit.com and is also the founder of ushahidi.com, as well as mzalendo.com, initiatives that have garnered immense attention and praise. In March 2010, she was interviewed by BBC on issues of blogging and contemporary internet culture in Africa. Listen to the audio interview below.

Scientific research and society - a lecture by Kofi Annan

Theme: Scientific Research and Society
Venue: Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) - Zurich, Switzerland

Today I was fortunate enough to attend an overbooked lecture by Mr. Kofi Annan, the former UN-SG and Nobel Peace Prize Laureate. For this year's Richard R. Ernst Lecture at the ETH Zurich, Mr. Annan delivered a captivating lecture on the role of scientific research in solving the needs of society . He urged young researchers to delve into research that crosses boundaries of their fields through interdisciplinary work and international collaborations with less technological advanced nations. Addressing a multitude of young researchers and students, Mr. Annan pointed out that scientists should provide the necessary leadership in research policy when political support is lacking. This could be through creating innovative solutions to societal needs that gain public support of the target communties. He pressed on the need of academics to refuse to remain in the ivory-tower, but rather become actors through research that makes a lasting impact to society. During the lecture, he quoted the Indian statesman and foremost actor in its R&D revolution, Jawaharlal Nehru, who once said "we are too poor to not invest in science and technology", to highlight the importance of science and technology for solving incessant problems of the south - food shortage, climate change and diseases of poverty.

The full lecture

(c) ETH Zurich, ITS-MMS

Below are amateur video clips of the panel discussion with Kofi Annan chaired by the 1991 Chemistry Nobel Laureate Prof. Richard R. Ernst.

Darwin's Nightmare

A 2004 documentary film written and directed by Hubert Sauper -- dealing with the environmental and social effects of the fishing industry around Lake Victoria in Tanzania.

Quote from the Darwin Nightmare's website:

"Some time in the 1960's, in the heart of Africa, a new animal was introduced into Lake Victoria as a little scientific experiment. The Nile Perch, a voracious predator, extinguished almost the entire stock of the native fish species. However, the new fish multiplied so fast, that its white fillets are today exported all around the world.

"Huge hulking ex-Soviet cargo planes come daily to collect the latest catch in exchange for their southbound cargo… Kalashnikovs and ammunitions for the uncounted wars in the dark center of the continent..."

Lakers secure 16th NBA championship

Congratulations to LA Lakers and their fans!

Enjoy the mini-movie of the final game (yeah, everything seems cool in slow-motion):

Does the world need nuclear energy?

Nuclear power: the energy crisis has even die-hard environmentalists reconsidering it. In this debate, Stewart Brand and Mark Z. Jacobson square off over the pros and cons. A discussion that'll make you think -- and might even change your mind.

From Amsterdam to Bamako

Documentary film on migration from Africa to Europe. The maker tries to take an African's perspective by reversing a migrant's journey traveling from Amsterdam to Bamako speaking with migrants he meets on the way.

'Tip' from Jadili Africa (Have you joined the group?).

Edit: You would understand why I 'bumped' this documentary film after watching it...

Tanzania's Education and Careers Exhibition

8 days to go!!! ( Date: June 24th & 25th, 2010)

Venue: Diamond Jubilee Hall, Dar es Salaam.

Tripod Media Company Limited is organizing “Tanzania’s Education and Career Exhibition” which will bring together Primary and Secondary Schools, Colleges, Tertiary Institutions and Universities in Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi in a Careers and Schools Exhibition so that students/trainers/parents/guardians can interact one-on-one with representatives of these institutions on programs offered, careers, admission requirements etc.

Topics:
Career Choices -- Challenges and Motivation
Changing Career -- Refocusing
Going against the wind -- Choosing unpopular career path
Caught in between -- Incomparable Careers within an individual
Employment vs. Entrepreneurship
Politics and Leadership -- Is it a career path?

Speakers:
Susan Mashibe (Engineer and Pilot), Modesta Lilian Mahiga (Managing Director, Professional Approach Ltd.), Janeth Mbene (MP), Sebastian Ndege (Doctor, Radio Presenter and Public Speaker), Khadija Mwanamboka (Fashion Designer), Ali Mfuruki (Economist and Entrepreneur), Lady Jay Dee (Musician), Master J (Music Producer), Femi Banigbe (Engineer & TIGO CTO), Sadaka Gandi (Psychologist), Siana Nkya (Scientist) & Emelda Mwamanga Mtunga (Bang! Magazine CEO Relim Entertainment).

For more info about the event, click here...
















Vijana FM Crew is wishing the organizers and all the participants all the best!

SAM.10

A family tree for humanity

All humans share some common bits of DNA, passed down to us from our African ancestors. Geneticist Spencer Wells talks about how his Genographic Project will use this shared DNA to figure out how we are -- in all our diversity -- truly connected.

First capsule to an asteroid

The first capsule to land on an asteroid returns to Earth.

Japan's bribes on whaling; old news?

by Felicity Ogilvie
A conservation activist says an investigation into claims that Japan bribes small nations for their support on whaling is confirmation of what has been common knowledge for a long time.

Two reporters from Britain's Sunday Times newspaper posed as the lobbyists of a fictional Swiss billionaire and set out to buy votes at next week's International Whaling Commission (IWC) meeting.

Six countries told the reporters they were willing to consider their offer, but the reporters were told they would need to better the aid the countries are already getting from the Japanese.

Tanzania's IWC commissioner is recorded saying that as well as aid, politicians from his country are flown to Japan where they are offered prostitutes.

Geoffrey Nanyaro told the undercover reporters he has never used Japanese prostitutes.

"As a Christian, I live by the Bible, so I never indulge in such [activities]," he said.

Mr Nanyaro says when he visits Japan he is put up in a five-star hotel, and women offering massages often call his room.

"They start by saying you know, do you want massaging, you know, it will be free massaging, you know. Are you not alone there?"

Nicola Beynon from Humane Society International says the undercover investigation adds weight to what environmental groups have long suspected.

"It has been common knowledge for a long time that a number of countries that vote in favor of commercial whaling at the IWC are not actually voting because they genuinely want to see a return to commercial whaling, but they are voting because they are beholden to Japan and Japan's very generous fisheries aid," she said.

"This is confirming what has been common knowledge for a long time and there has been very few occasions where we have had proof of it."

Continue to read...(There is an audio report on the right hand side of the page.)

If you don't know what 'Whale Wars' are all about (you probably don't watch Southpark, I guess), check out this clip:

Uvumbuzi mahsusi kwa walemavu

Amos Winter, mwanafunzi wa shahada ya uzamivu pale MIT, Marekani yuko njiani kuwekeza matokeo ya elimu yake katika kusaidia walemavu wa nchi maskini. Winter ametengeneza wheelchair maalum kwa walemavu wa miguu kwa ajili ya matumizi kwenye barabara zilizo na mabonde au matope tulizonazo 'uswahilini'. Mradi wake huo uitwao, Leverage Freedom Chair, umemwezesha kushinda tuzo mbalimbali pamoja na kuweza kufundisha wanafunzi wengine kuhusu teknolojia hii. Wenzetu wa VETA na SIDO, mpoo?






Tembelea ukurasa wake hapa ili kufahamu zaidi kuhusu kazi zake.

Nelson R. Mandela - 46664

Picture: Nelson Mandela by Sue Dickinson

Filamu ifuatayo ni ya historia ya Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, kwa maneno yake mwenyewe -- kwa kifupi. Angalia jinsi wazee wetu walivyotaabika, wakajitoa mhanga ili mimi na wewe leo tuweze kusimama bila uwoga na kutembea mitaani na vifua vyetu mbele.

Sijui unapata hisia za aina gani unapoona na kusikia hadithi kama hizi. Binafsi, napata motisha isiyo kifani na sichoki kuwashukuru wanaharakati kwa mambo waliyofanya. Leo hii naweza kuandika chochote ninachotaka kwenye blogs na vyombo vingine vya habari; sauti yangu inasikika. Sitetereki pale mtu anapoanza kunirushia maneno ya kibaguzi. Naamini kuwa sehemu kubwa ya mafanikio kwenye maisha yangu itatokana na juhudi zangu mwenyewe.

Bahati mbaya watu wengine wanatumia uhuru huu huu kujinufaisha wenyewe na familia zao; wamesahau machozi, jasho na damu ya wanaharakati kama Madiba. Wamewahi kujiuliza: Tungekuwa wapi kama watu na viongozi kama hawa wangeamua kupigana kwa ajili yao na familia zao tu?

It's finally here

The wait is finally over!

1 hour to go!

The productivity at work today was ZERO. Sifuri, cero, nul, null, nula, 零...

South Africa via Dar es Salaam

by Angelique Kidjo

SA in the spotlight

While we're still scratching our heads and wonder if the friendly game against Brazil did our beloved Tanzania any good, I decided to post the McKinsey interview with the ANC veteran, Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe -- just to ease the frustrations. He discusses the state of the South African economy, world cup, the country’s progress in fighting HIV/AIDS, China’s role on Africa, and the important part that values have to play in the business world.

I would like to wish the organisers, all South Africans, participating teams and football supporters around the world all the best.

Let the best team win!! I mean, please, no Italy in the final...

"Thula Mama"

South African singer-songwriter Vusi Mahlasela dedicates his song, "Thula Mama," to all women -- and especially his grandmother.

This is one of the finest uplifting tunes I have ever heard. Trust me, it's not just a hype.

Na napenda kuchukua nafasi hii kudediket huu wimbo kwa mama yangu, Ubungo Kibangu na bibi yangu, kijijini Kihurio (Same). Bila kusahau mama zetu wote waliotulea, kutuasa, kutusaidia na kuwepo karibu yetu kila tulipowahitaji/tunapowahitaji.

Shukrani kwa ushujaa, ushupavu na mioyo yao migumu iliyotuambukiza maarifa, kujiamini na kutupa busara kwenye maisha yetu ya ujana. Tungekuwa wapi leo hii bila nyinyi?

Nawatakia siku njema!

Mbu na harufu ya pombe

Habari si njema kwa 'wanywaji' bongo. Utafiti umeonyesha kuwa, mbu wanaosababisha malaria wanavutiwa mno na harufu ya aliyekunywa bia. Mbu kama wadudu wengine wengi wana uwezo mkubwa wa kuhisia harufu mbalimbali - insect repellant nyingi zinatumia sifa hii ili kufukuza mbu. Katika utafiti huu uliofanyika huko Burkina Faso, watu 43 pamoja na mbu takribani 2500 walitumika ili kuweza kudadisi athari zozote kwa mbu zitokanazo na unjwaji wa bia.

Watafiti hawa wanaeleza kuwa metabolism ya bia mwilini inabadilisha kemikali fulani za harufu zitokazo ngozini na hivyo harufu itokayo baada ya kunywa bia yaweza kuwa inawavutia mbu hawa. Pia wanadokeza kuwa, baada ya bia kunywewa kinga mwilini hupungua, kwahiyo mbu kwa namna fulani wameweza kujenga uwezo wa kuhisia upungufu huu na hivyo kupendelea zaidi harufu ya waliokunywa pombe. Utafiti zaidi wahitajika ili kufahamu ni signatures gani za harufu zinazobadilika ambazo zinavutia mbu hawa. Itabidi tuanze kupiga 'tungi' ndani ya neti.

Did you guys see this?

Just saw this on Lin The Fin's Blog (Posted on the 17th May, 2010; I don't understand how I missed the whole saga... I guess the officials did their best to keep things quiet.):

Last week presidents Jakaya Kikwete and Armando Guebuza inaugurated the long-awaited Unity Bridge that spans 720 meters over the river Ruvuma between Tanzania and Mozambique. The two countries are finally connected!

Except they are not.

During the project of spending 34 billion Tanzanian shillings ($ 24 million) nobody thought to build customs posts or roads to the bridge. It's 165 km from the bridge to the nearest paved road in Mozambique, and 56 km to the paved roads in Tanzania. The nearest towns are Mocimboa da Praia (275 km) and Lindi (240 km).

These people built a bridge linked to nothing. It can't have been built so suddenly that it took the Ministry of Planning by surprise. It can't have been so low-profile that nobody noticed that it was happening. According to the Controller and Auditor General (report on financial year 2008/2009) the bridge is "useless".

Finance minister Mustafa Mkulo says "It was unfortunate that there wasn't adequate coordination when the project was being implemented".

No, it's not April fools' day!

Africa: A continent on the move

Submitted by Jean-Marie Vianney Habarugira

With the 2010 World Cup set to begin later this week, eyes are turning toward South Africa, the country playing host to the world’s most watched sporting event, and, more broadly, toward Africa as a whole. After decades of stagnation, the continent’s economies have expanded much more quickly during the past ten years. So this month, McKinsey Quarterly focuses on Africa’s surprisingly bright economic future. (You will have to register first to get full access to the articles and the interview.)

What’s driving Africa’s growth
The rate of return on foreign investment is higher in Africa than in any other developing region. It’s time for global executives and investors to pay heed.

South Africa in the spotlight: An interview with Deputy President K.Motlanthe
In a video interview, the deputy president of South Africa reflects on its economy, the battle against HIV/AIDS, how the world perceives Africa, and China’s role there.

Checking Africa’s vital signs (with interactive map)
A series of maps and charts on Africa shows the populations and literacy rates of its countries; their position in the World Bank’s ease-of-doing-business index; and changes in life expectancy, real GDP, levels of HIV/AIDS infection, and capital inflows.

Africa’s path to growth: Sector by sector
The continent’s growth story isn’t entirely about the extractive industries. Seven articles examine the future of a wide range of sectors.

Fulfilling the promise of sub-Saharan Africa
The region has already made big strides below the radar. It now stands to become the developing world’s next great success story.


Source: McKinsey Quartely - June 2010 Newsletter

Artwork Painted by Katongo
Tinga Tinga art from Tanzania