Monthly Archives: August 2007

Rain is considered a blessing in most of Africa, but when it pours down on the weekend of a highly anticipated, first-ever outdoor cultural summer festival like Afrifest, one is left scratching their head in search of the good fortune.

The originality of Lucky Dube's shows and his energetic performance have earned him a lot of praise.  Lucky Dube, well known around the world for his music and lyrics in the reggae genre', hails from South Africa. A week ago, I finally got the opportunity to attend one of his concerts at First Avenue, in downtown Minneapolis. The show, which was an extension of the Afrifest Celebrations, started early Monday night with doors opening at 7pm.  

CAPE TOWN - There is broad consensus among African countries that foreign forces - specifically in the form of the United States' new African Command - would not be welcomed to establish themselves on the continent.

Defence Minister Mosiuoa Lekota expressed this sentiment Wednesday, during a briefing on the implementation of government's programme of action by Cabinet's International Relations, Peace and Security cluster.

The minister indicated a hesitance on the part of African countries to host the US's new dedicated command for the continent.  

Sudan’s ambassador to the United States, Gen. John Ukec Leuth Ukec, blamed the people of Darfur for killing each other and said that there was little the government in Khartoum could do to stop the violence.

A Twin Cities charitable organization involved in the education of girls in Ethiopia hosted a fundraising dinner in Minneapolis that was also an attempt to get the African community involved.

Africa has been rated fourth in broadband penetration among six continents that were sampled by the Economist Intelligence in the year 2007.

The study conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) rated Africa as fourth in its uptake of broadband services within the Middle East and Africa (MEA) region scoring 7.4 behind North America 10, Western Europe 9.9, Central and Eastern Europe 7.6. After MEA came Latin America with 7.3 and Asia Pacific 7.1 within the six regions under review.

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Young women wiggled their bellies and shook their torsos to the tune of the music. Gentlemen – with bundles of one-dollar bills in their hands – lined up to tip their favorite dancers. Women dispensed generous amounts of dollars, too. It was one big party, but not the kind you are thinking about. It was the fourteenth-annual IgboFest.

Designer to champion protection of children from violence and abuse

Cape Town, South Africa, 11 August... UNICEF last night announced the appointment of top South African couturier and humanitarian activist Gavin Rajah as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador.  The announcement by the world’s premier children’s organization came at the close of the designer’s Cape Town Fashion Week show in the city South Africans affectionately call the “mother city”.

There is always a stir of excitement where Redykyulass is concerned. Ever since the trio entertainers came together in 1998, they have managed to amuse audiences from East Africa, as well as overseas.

JOHANNESBURG: Investemnt firm Pamodzi Investment Holdings has launched Africa's biggest private equity fund, the $1,3bn Pamodzi Resources Fund (PRF), CEO Ndaba Ntsele said on Friday.

Ntsele said the fund was supported by a consortium of US investors including affiliates of American Metals & Coal International (AMCI) - a leading international energy and resources sector investor.

Sadiya Sahal was returning to her home in St. Paul Wednesday afternoon when she made a phone call to her relative in Minneapolis a half hour before the Interstate 35W bridge collapsed. The relative didn't answer that call, but now he wishes he did.

No one has heard from the 23-year-old mother since then. Her 19-month-old daughter, Hana Mohamed, was with her in the family's Toyota Highlander.