The ‘Voice of Africa’ calling for African voices to be heard

As Africa remains rigid in its position as the richest continent in the world, one of its most recognised and decorated ‘sons’ remains unflinching in his drive to see his beloved homeland ‘sit at the top table when the world’s more financially astute countries make the kind of decisions that others have to ‘sing’ to.

Called the ‘Voice of Africa’, Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba PhD, LL.B, LL.M is passion about discussing the fate of Africa and he’s not afraid to apportion blame for Africa’s fate.

A former Director of Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission, a lecturer in Law at the Faculty of Law at University of Nairobi, and Trustee and Executive Director of the African Institute of Leaders and Leadership, again, in Nairobi, he is now the Director of The Kenya School of Law and often makes powerful speeches about African solutions to African problems.

A compendium of all things Africa, he has written several books, and been the co-author of the prestigious ‘The Constitution of Kenya’.

A staunch Pan-African, he wrote 27 other books – one of which being ‘Stolen Kenya’ as he always said that: “Africans must take a historical journey. The rise and fall of Africa is on account of African politicians.

“Africa started to produce leaders that they didn’t recognise”.

Having served in the National Committee on Implementation of International Humanitarian Law, followed by being the Secretary to the constitution Kenya Review Commission, Professor PLO Lumumba often call for ‘hygiene’ in Africa, as it had been “disappearing from African politics – ably assisted by Europeans.

“After slavery ‘lost its sheen’ Europeans abolished it and created a new enterprise – ‘colonisation’

“In 1884 they (Europeans) then looked at the map of Africa and shared it out - they thought that they were ‘demi-gods’; calling it the ‘Messiah Complex’.

“But, we – our ancestors - built Europe and the USA. Now we have to reclaim what has always been ours.

“The Democratic Republic of Congo, for example, is the richest country on Earth – but one of the poorest on Earth.

“The question there is; ‘Where is the ‘democracy’?

“African leaders”, he says, “feel that they have the divine right to rule.

“It’s time, now, for African’s voices to be heard – as one”.

PLO Lumumba is one of THE voices that will forever be heard..

Theresa Kachindamoto is almost single-handedly giving Malawi children their childhood back

Theresa Kachindamoto could not have imagined ever leaving her job in a college in Zomba, in Southern Malawi. But, after 13-years of dedicated service, and following a 2012 United Nations survey, which found that more than half of the country’s girls were married before the age of 18, she was appointed the paramount chief, or Inkosi, of the Dedza District, with informal authority over more than 900,000 people to dissolve the litany of child marriages – and, in its stead, encourage education for both girls and boys.

Thousands evacuated as Cyclone Biparjoy heads towards India and Pakistan

Tens of thousands have been evacuated in India and Pakistan as parts of the countries braced for an extremely severe cyclone today. Biparjoy - a cyclone over the Arabian Sea - is forecast to make landfall in Kutch in the western Indian state of Gujarat.

In Pakistan, the storm is expected to hit the coast of Sindh province and affect parts of Karachi city. Seven people have died in India amid heavy rains.

Thousands gather for funeral of Pope Benedict XVI

Having drawn thousands of people for his funeral, Pope Benedict XVI was buried in a crypt beneath St Peter's Basilica - which holds the tombs of more than 90 of his predecessors -  according to Benedict's final wishes.

Beginning in a traditional ceremony at St. Peter’s Square, in Vatican City, Benedict was named pope emeritus during the funeral, as the language of some prayers was different because he was not the reigning pope when he died.

Thousands in shelters after tsunami warnings following Japan earthquake

Thousands of people in Japan are spending the night in evacuation centres after a powerful earthquake.

Thousands mourn at Kenya's marathon star Kelvin Kiptum funeral

Widow, Asenath Rotich, led the mourners at the funeral for Kenyan marathon world record holder, Kelvin Kiptum.

Three women of Caribbean heritage included on Forbes 2023 Power Women List

Three women of Caribbean descent have been named to the 2023 Forbes magazine list of the 100 most powerful women in the world.

Ties not mandatory says New Zealand parliament following Maori MP ejected

New Zealand's parliament has backed down in a dispute with a Maori MP who refused to wear a tie.

Rawiri Waititi was allowed to address the chamber, a day after being ejected for breaking its dress code by wearing a traditional pendant called hei-tiki instead of a tie. The parliament speaker later said ties would no longer be required as part of appropriate business attire. He said it was a win for the many generations to come. He said it meant that parliament is a place that people can freely express their cultural identity.

He said: "This was always about the greater cause of the subjugation and assimilation that Maori have had to face for the past 181 years." Mr Waititi was ejected from parliament over a rule that male MPs can only ask questions in the debating chamber if wearing a tie.

Speaker Trevor Mallard twice prevented the Maori Party co-leader from asking questions before he was removed from the chamber. As he left the room Mr Waititi said."It's not about ties, it's about cultural identity."  The incident marked the latest dispute between the two men over the issue.

Late last year, Mr Waititi was told that he would be ejected from the House if he did not wear a tie. The MP has previously described ties as ‘colonial nooses’. When he returned, he was given permission to ask a supplementary question while wearing his Maori pendant.

Mr Mallard later announced that following a majority decision by the Standing Orders Committee - which reviews and considers the rules that govern how the House operates - ties would no longer be required.

He wrote on Twitter: "As Speaker, I am guided by the committee's discussion and decision, and therefore ties will no longer be considered required as part of 'appropriate business attire'. I acknowledge those who felt this was an important issue worthy of further consideration."

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern previously said she did not object to people refusing to wear ties, but that there were bigger things to be focusing on. "I don't think New Zealanders care about ties," she said.

Tiny Dutch Caribbean islands move to save coral reefs

A major environmental project is under way in St. Eustatius – affectionately known as Statia – and Saba to reduce erosion and safeguard endangered reefs around the two islands in the Caribbean Netherlands. The project, dubbed “Healthy and Resilient Marine and Coastal Ecosystems Through Reforestation of St Eustatius and Saba”, will include the reforestation of areas stripped bare of vegetation due to land erosion caused by heavy rainfall.

To Alkebulan Nation, The Government of Tanzania / The People of the great lake Regions of Tanganyika, His Excellency John Pombe Magufuli

By His Royal Highness Maponga Joshua III Marara ChangaMbire Karanga of SVOSVE Dynasty of the Kingdom of DZimbabgwe The Mornach of the Nation and Empire of Mwenemutapa

"The headmaster", the son of the soil has rested. Indeed this is a loss to the continet at large to witness the sudden and untimely death of a beacon of hope for the emancipation of the Afrikan Nations from colonial pharmaceutical oppression. He will be remembered for his unwavering position on the "test kits" and his wit in using them on fruits and animals to prove that they were contamibated. Other Afrikan presidents did not show public support to this stalwart to their shame to please their colonial masters. With such Leaedership Afrika had hope towards the "Magufulization of Afrika'.
It is a fact that many countries in the west with their multinational companies did not favor Magufuli as he posed a challenge to the economic corrupt dealings with Afrika.
His passing will bring them joy while it fills the Pan Afrokan community with tears and heartache. The snake is alive and well hissing fear in our midst. The beacon of hope has been blown out while thieves and puppets of the west continue to breath and sell the Afrikans to colonial masters. This Covid pandemic has left a bad taste in our mouths as one of our hopes for the Afrikan solutions, next to Madagascar has been cut short.

We have lost a soldier and gained an ancestor, long live the spirit of Magufuli long live. The battle continues and let every Afrikan president ask themselves the question "why are you still living"? How long will it take to unite? When wiil you unite as a continent to protect each other and improve your security on the continent. What will it take for you to build one army and secure the continent from plunder of the west/east/north? Who are the enemies of Afrikan Unity but yourselves and unquenchable hunger for power and cortuption? Remember Gadaffi died while you watched, for economic unification, Sinkara for pan Afrikan views, Mugabe for his land position, Congo is still at war while you make speeches and steal money to foreign accounts. Ask yourselves the question "who is next".
The Kingdom/Empire of Mwenemutapa and the Svosve Dynasty sends its heartfelt condolences and mourns with the nation on this great loss.
Pole pole , Tanganyika. lala salama Pombe hitaonana kesho.
Harambe Chamachamapinduza Tanzania

To the ZULU Royal House - HIS MAJESTY KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI KA BHEKUZULU

By His Royal Highness Maponga Joshua iii Marara ChangaMbire Karanga of SVOSVE Dynasty of the Kingdom of DZimbabgwe The Mornach of the Nation of Mwenemutapa

The big tree has fallen birds with scartter. The elephants will smell the bones for centuries to come. The sun has gone down, we will listen to your whispers of the reeds. "Wena WoNhlanga, ubhenjani ophuma esqxiwini, Ngonyama, Wena WeNdlovu Bayethe Zulu."

On behalf of the Mwenemutapa Royal Family and Nation of the Great Dzimbabgwe we share your pain and tears at this difficult time. The walls of stone have heard the wailing of the maidens. We call for peace and healing upon the family and the aNguni/aNgoni Nation.

May His Majesty the King sleep in the Dust of the earth but continue to live in our hearts, in the chants of the regiments of wars, in the whispers of the Royal caves and the gentle breeze of lagoons of Lembe.

Bayethe

To transform our food systems we must reimagine how they are financed, says IFAD President

To transform our food systems to end global hunger and be sustainable in a changing world, we must first reimagine how they are financed, said the President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) to world leaders attending the UN Food Systems Summit, which ends today.

“The Secretary-General called for this summit two years ago in recognition of how far the world was from achieving zero hunger, and amid rising climate change impacts and worsening food insecurity,” said Gilbert F. Houngbo, President of IFAD.

Tobago celebrates World Sea Turtle Day

The Tobago Tourism Agency Limited (TTAL) led World Sea Turtle Day 2023 celebrations in Tobago, promoting conservation and responsible tourism through a one-day expo at the Scarborough Library.

The island of Tobago is inhabited by the most sea turtles in the Caribbean, home to five different species – many of them critically endangered – including the Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Green turtle. TTAL, together with the Division of Tourism, Culture, Antiquities and Transportation, and fellow members of the National Sea Turtle Task Force - Save Our Sea Turtles (SOS) - hosted the first event of its kind observing World Sea Turtle Day in Tobago, joining the rest of the world in honouring and highlighting the importance of sea turtles

Tokyo 2020 a success – despite all its restrictions

To bring over 10,000 athletes - from 206 nations – together, during a pandemic, as, seemingly the most impossible of impossible tasks, but, in the end turned out to be impossible to forget. Despite being bereft of fans, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games will, for many, go down as one of the best ever.

For a relieved Thomas Bach, president of the IOC (International Olympic Committee), he declared: “We did it.

Tokyo 2020 Opening Ceremony Underway…Eventually!

The Tokyo Olympics officially get under way today after a year-long delay due to the impact of Covid-19. With the Japanese capital entering a fourth state of emergency as a result of the pandemic, it was declared this month that spectators will not be able to attend the summer Games.

Tonga volcano eruption said to be more powerful than atomic bomb

The volcanic eruption in Tonga that triggered a tsunami was hundreds of times more powerful than the atomic bomb the US dropped on Hiroshima during World War Two, Nasa says.

The eruption obliterated an island north of the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa, the agency said. Tonga says more than four-fifths of the population has been affected by the tsunami and falling ash.

Top 10 places “with a view” to work remotely in Emilia Romagna in 2021

Those planning a “workation” this year should look no further than Emilia Romagna. The northern Italian region offers the ideal conditions to combine working remotely with a peaceful holiday – including stunning landscapes, villages, castles, beaches, a pleasant weather and, of course, a reliable Wi-Fi network.

Top executive changes at Lufthansa Group and Lufthansa Airlines

Two important leadership changes of commercial core functions at Lufthansa Group and Lufthansa Airlines: Heiko Reitz will be the new CCO of Lufthansa Airlines and Dr. Stefan Kreuzpaintner will now be responsible for network, alliance and partner management of Lufthansa Group.

Heiko Reitz has made several key strategy decisions for network, alliance and partner management in recent years and drove harmonization and further development of holistic commercial customer offerings, also with airline partners.

Tourism and Sports United for Sustainability

The 2nd edition of the World Sports Tourism Congress (WSTC), organized by UNWTO, Government of Croatia through its Ministry of Tourism and Sport, and the Affiliate Member Croatian National Tourist Board, brought together experts and leaders from across the sports and tourism sectors, alongside representatives of destinations and businesses.

Tourism can boost Africa’s economy by $168b - says WTTC

At its Global Summit in Kigali, the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), in collaboration with VFS Global, revealed that the African Travel & Tourism sector could add $168 billion to the continent’s economy and create over 18 million new jobs.