After Africa

Afrographique. Cool design on the use of digital media in Africa

Afrographique presents fantastic graphic design illustrating use of digital media in Africa.

Have a look yourself here for more designs.

Do also read the brief introduction to Afrographique:

This blog is my small contribution to assist the changing perception of Africa and it’s people - hopefully you will be able to learn something as well. This blog aims to collect as much data as possible with the aim of presenting the information in an exciting and digestible format to all.

You’re very welcome to use any of the infographics I have created in your presentations or projects - the only thing I ask is either a mention or a link to the final product.

http://afrographique.tumblr.com/About

I, for sure, will use these designs in coming presentations - so thanks a lot back to Afrographique!

Wangu Jeans: Danish design for women with 'exotic' curves

Check out the Facebook group here and their website.

Vijana FM asks 5 questions to Rakesh Rajani

Vijana FM has asked 5 questions to Twaweza-founder Rakesh Rajani - have a look here.

My favorite is Rakesh' answer to the first question, where he also defines 'a good life':

(1) We can read and hear about your commitments, but we are curious about what motivates you. Why do you want to look into often sticky and long-unresolved issues in Tanzania’s development?

'I think it’s pretty simple. I mean, things need to be done, and you work on them. What else does one do with their life, other than work on the things that are important and are worthwhile?

I wake up in the morning and I’m excited about working on those things. You go to bed and you feel a little tired but you have a sense of fulfillment. Every day I get five to ten affirmations; people calling, sending e-mails, engagements you have, a sense of the difference you have made, a sense of how what you have done has been used by others to make a difference. And that’s a good life.

I don’t know what else to do because it seems otherwise you would have a boring life, a shallow life. So it’s the only life I know how to live, at least for now, and its very fulfilling. It gives you the privilege of engaging with others working on issues that really matter, and in that process I meet some very interesting, powerful people, like yourselves.'

In doubt where to start yourself - have a look here, where I just re-found 5 pieces of concrete (and free) advice on how to engage, also from Rakesh Rajani, noted down at a session at the British Council in Dar es Salaam in 2008.

Questions for http://twitter.com/#!/TheTZMediaFund - online today from Mlimani City

Check http://twitter.com/#!/TheTZMediaFund - online today from Mlimani City in Dar es Salaam.

There'll be a panel discussion on 'Media & Accountability' at the #mediaforum. Panelists include @jmakamba @zittokabwe

Questions are encouraged: (I'm on my way to a meeting, so a few VERY quick questions from Denmark):

1) Social media is used vibrantly in Tanzania (still among a smaller group), technology seems to be dealt with easily, everyone can start a blog, Facebook and tweet.

But what about some more focus on content, quality and ethics?

• I've myself experienced one incident of mob justice in cyberspace in March 2008, but do also currently note odd behaviour on i.e. Facebook - people tagging other people on photos of dead (?) or injured people; or people copy pasting (stealing) - I even experienced myself people stealing photo and text from my blog and putting it in the newspaper.
• Another challenge is when people pass on 'stuff you heard' as news, without confirming. I.e. #bombsindar. In fact, Twitter plays a more important role in Tanzania (than i.e. Denmark) in regard of instant news, which means that people end up relying on (and trusting) it for direct information. But to what extent can we count on it, and how do we improve?

2) I'd also like to hear what the panel thinks about the Deputy Minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu's comments here:

Minister about the Tanzanians' use of mobile phones: 'most of the conversations and messages were on sexual relationships'. The deputy minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu, said recently (according to The Citizen):

'Tanzanians spent a total of Sh2 billion for talking through mobile phones in 2010. However, it is amazing that most of the conversations and messages were on sexual relationships, the deputy minister for Industry, Trade and Marketing, Mr Lazaro Nyalandu, said recently.'

and

'Unlike our colleagues from Kenya, Rwanda and Uganda who have been using blogs and their mobile phones to learn basic things like the state of markets for different products, we have spent much time making non-profit contacts; many Tanzanians’ blogs are full of gossip,” said Mr Nyalandu.'

3) Majority of social media users in Tanzania appear to be male - what to do to even that out - to get some more women on board?

Blue Sky. Finally. And as long as it lasts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

How I missed this colour! Full of contrast instead of this gray zone hell we've been cloaked in all winther.

Finally the sky turned blue in Denmark.  Crisp, clear blue. With clear markings of airoplanes leaving and coming.

Tanzanian politics: Change comes with the youthful?

I've previously taken an interest in the challenges for Tanzanian youth, or youthful politicians, in regard of entering and being accepted in politics. In September 2009 I posted 'Old enough to become a real Tanzanian politician?', contemplating on an article in The Citizen where the university lecturer Dr. Azaveli Lwaitama from the University of Dar Es Salaam was challenging Tanzanian politics, introducing the fact that Mwalimu Julius Nyerere was one year younger (31) - when he contested and was elected as chairperson of Tanganyika African Association in 1953 - than Zitto Kabwe, who was 32 when he in August 2009 announced that he would be challenging Chadema's secretary general Freeman Mbowe (48).

Zitto had to withdrew then and practice the Tanzanian national sport: kusubiri.

Back then I elaborated on a quote from Lwaitama: 'that these elders do not seem to appreciate that Africa is passing through a period similar to the one it passed through in the 1940s and 1950s in terms of seeking ideological clarity to guide political struggles.'

And I asked: 'But maybe a change is in the making?'

To be honest, I only did so because I wished Tanzanian politics would one day change its conservative idea of youth and its potential, not that I had any idea of what was actually going on. However, something may be changing. Pole pole. I've just read this very well-written article: 'Youthful MPs start grappling with solutions' by Ani Jozen in The Guardian.

The article deals with two MPs, namely Bumbuli MP January Makamba from the government party Chama Cha Mapinduzi (CCM) and Kigoma North MP Zitto Kabwe from the opposition party Chama Cha Demokrasia na Maendeleo (Chadema), and concludes:

'It (surprising situation) is being catered for by changing mentalities among MPs partly on account of the generation gap, where the likes of January Makamba or Zitto Kabwe don’t have parastatal interests at heart, or seeing Parliament as a disciplinary caucus to control executive ethics, but a problem resolving environment. It is likely to be a relief to the public.'

Both politicians with their own, personal Internet domains, and both frequent users of social media. January Makamba has - probably - the best done website in Tanzania (fine photography, integration with social media, and use of fine details all the way down to the repeated choice of a certain green nuance). January Makamba is also known for his performance at the Pen & Mic where he read the poem 'Letter to My Father', a poem described as 'an appeal for a new generation of leadership in Tanzania'.

Zitto is an avid user of especially Twitter, which he for instance used some weeks ago when he travelled to Iringa and Mbeya Districts in search of solutions to the power problem Tanzania is facing: Tweeting from what he experienced in the field and adding personal attitude, created debate with followers online. Read his blog post here.

The two MPs' ways of communicating via social media - from what I see - have not yet reached their potential, and though they may not reach their rural constituencies, it does mark a change in the direction of openness and will to listen to what other people say. In deed, it also marks a curiousity and interest for opionions and new knowledge which the Tanzanians hardly associate with their MPs. 

When January Makamba on March 10 tweets '@kadebedebe @shurufu @zittokabwe @moplusr new generation of leaders should not be held back by party politics. Focus: to solve problems.' is may sound like a political correct phrase in my Danish ears, but working across political parties in practice in Tanzania does not resemble the pragmatic Danish conditions where we have long ago gotten used to coalition governments.

Tanzanian MPs' use of social media in communications may only be a mere symbol of change, as real change is made by hard work and in overcoming traditional thinking in the way politics is done in practice. Ani Jozen points out clear examples in terms of political efforts by both Zitto and January which mark a change. Read the full article here.

Focusing on solutions and what is best for the nation in stead of favouring your own personal or your political party's agenda is for the brave.

And maybe so that is a job for the youthful, who shouldn't be kept waiting?

Do also read Paul Mason's blog post here 'Twenty reasons why it's kicking off', who in 20 points contemplates on what characterizes the youth wanting change.

Same same, but different

Both photos are taken within the distance of few kilometres close to Mbabane in Swaziland.

Both signs were placed near to schools, indicating pupils crossing the road. Back in December 2005.

How I love the differences between the two signs.