ISSUE No.04 / DECEMBER 2014 - JANUARY 2015
KShs. 100
AFRIKANMBIU BY AFRIKA FOR AFRIKA
THE FUN EDITION
Salvado Uganda’s Funniest
Namibia: @AfrikanMbiu /AfrikanMbiu
More than
beer & sand
EDITOR
FROM THE “The purpose of life is to live it, to taste it, experience it to the utmost, and reach out eagerly and without fear for newer and richer experience.” Wise words said by Eleanor Roosevelt. True to this saying we as human beings need to enjoy the life that we have. You only live once (YOLO) as we say. The fun issue is upon us, and it has come at the best time, December. How I love this month.
countries we have covered in this issue, here is a guide on what’s fun. The fun issue wouldn’t be complete without interviewing one of the funniest comedians in Africa, Salvado from Uganda. So what is fun in your country? What are you planning on doing this festive season? Tell us all about it. Tweet us on: @afrikanmbiu. The best story will be published in our website.
As we look forward to the holiday festivities that this period brings, Love and Support Africa. such as vacations, events and just hanging out with family and friends, - J. Afrikan Mbiu brings you the best of what is fun in other countries. If you @JullianneObonyo are planning on travelling to the
EDITOR Jullianne Obonyo obonyoj@afrikanmbiu.com ASSISTANT EDITOR Martha Ogonjo WRITERS Levi Obingo Isaac Chikwere Nkalapwaga Clement Obonyo Jessica Thomas Stephanie Wanga Chansa Kapapuna
PHOTOGRAPHERS Sanaa Culture Cedi Mungai Creatives Garage
Contact information Editorial & Advertising info@afrikanmbiu.com www.afrikanmbiu.com
@AfrikanMbiu /AfrikanMbiu
04
contents 03
04 FURAHA (Swahili: FUN)
BRINGING SEXY BACK
06 ÉVÉNEMENTS (French: EVENTS)
09
SONDEKA FESTIVAL
07 PRET (Afrikaans: FUN)
NAMIBIA: MORE THAN BILTONG, BEER AND SAND DUNES 09 FURAHA
(Swahili: FUN)
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO?
10 KUCHAKALA (Luganda: FUN)
16
SALVADO
14 MSANGULUTSO
(Chichewa: FUN)
MALAWI’S COMPLETE FUN PACKED ITINERARY
16 FURAHA (Swahili: FUN)
H_ART: THE BAND
18 FURAHA (Swahili: FUN)
KITENDO CHILDRENS CHARITY
20 UKUSEKESHA (Icibemba: FUN)
20
AEROBICS MANIA IN ZAMBIA
Furaha Fun
Bringing
Sexy Back by Levi Obingo Photos © Cedi Mungai
D
uring my younger years as a growing child, my idea of fun was doing something out of the norm. Something lying somewhere in the realms of the forbidden and the unsaid. Later on I added standing out from the crowd to my conception (or misconception, whichever team you play for) of the idea of having fun. That’s until the idea of being shady, sounded cool.
use to traverse their home country at least every week or so. Biko Zulu, a renowned Kenyan writer, editor and blogger, refers to these types, as the wealthy. Then there’s the other lot. The lot that stopped using public transport a few millennia ago (read commercial airlines, and yes, business and first class falls under this category, which actually seems to make sense, because it is public transport right?).
Ever wondered how the rich always have less to prove to anyone than the middle class have to prove to themselves? Because more of the middle class always want to be viewed in each other’s eyes as having leapt to, or being on the fast road to the next social class – being the rich. But even with the rich there are social classes, like the lower tier rich – the ones who can (comfortably) afford to visit two or more new destinations in the world as their vacation. Then the middle rich – those who have small choppers and light aircrafts (which despite the adjectives I’m using to describe them, are quite expensive) which they
But I’m not here to dissect between the tribes of the rich; to immerse myself into their traditions, trying to learn and embrace their ways, struggling to participate in their rituals, with the permission of their tribal chief of course. I’m not here for any of that. I’m here to talk about being shady, which for the most part is something I have discovered to be truly and utterly fascinating. Ever walked into a suburban mall just to find someone dressed in something you normally wouldn’t, but you still envy them for their courage and the comfort they seem to be enjoying? That’s because such people
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 4
no longer have anything to prove to the world. They are, or have developed into, free spirits. If you ‘somehow’ managed to pass by the till at the same time with these ‘free spirits’ and you both walked to the parking lot, you’d probably understand why such a person no longer has anything to prove to you, or any other judging soul out there. Why? Because when she pressed her car keys for the trunk to pop up, the trunk to that SLS Mercedes AMG that you almost swerved over, obliged, because it was waiting patiently for its horseman. No wonder she had nothing to prove to you. Makes sense? Now let’s look at the reverse, where I thrive. This is where you act or do all those shady things, things that people reserve for (and I beg your pardon for this, but it has to be said nonetheless) the ‘lower income’ section of the population. Where the amount of fun you have works in reverse, so that you stop looking shady, but wealthy instead. It gives the impression that you take life with a big spoon and that at some point during your existence as a living being, you found all the things that sophisticated people pretend to enjoy a thorough bore, so you started looking for the little things in life. Like that walk to that park that your forefathers visited often – the park that you might have regarded as shady because the in-thing when you were in your teens was a mall. Or posing for photos at that same park the way your dad posed when he was your age. With the same poses he had.
You should try it. To me, that is bringing sexy back. I didn’t live in the eighties much, but it seemed like a fun decade. Where people had less to prove to one another. Life back then was simpler, with lower divorce rates and people actually talking for more than five minutes without checking their phones to look at where the battery meter is because they are fully aware that they hadn’t received a text. Just think about it. The rich, will throng you in the eyes with their new Rolex watch, dapper suit, sharp cologne and panel beaten accent. The wealthy, will ooze sophistication. Since I cannot pull up to an African restaurant in a new Ferrari (as yet) and thus absorb tons and tons of internal jeers by weary on lookers, I made a choice to ooze sophistication. To look for the simple things in life. To make it look like I have seen it all, like it’s lonely at the top, when really all I’m doing is starting from the bottom. Going back to my roots and making anyone that appears, even in the slightest bit, to judge me, have an intelligent conversation with my hand. Bringing sexy back. It’s not just about having fun. It’s about being human again. Increasing interaction. Meeting people. Actualizing friendships. When I was sixteen I would think it silly to do anything that would draw eyes to me. Now, not so much. Because quality of life seems more fun than quantity of life. Let’s bring sexy back.
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 5
Événements Events
SONDEKA FESTIVAL
WHERE: NGONG RACECOURSE WHEN: 18TH-20TH OCTOBER Photography © Creatives Garage
Sondeka festival is a three day event that is about diversity in music, art and innovative products. The festival lived up to its name Sondeka. Sondeka is a slang word meaning “to create”. The event was packed with activities from workshops, movie screenings to live performances. A family festival meant to inspire people to be innovated. It was rare to see spectacular creative products in one place such as the aircraft made form scrap by Gabriel Nderitu. Bladder one of the famous childhood games aimed to help people relive their childhood. It proved tro be a fun activity.
Them Mushrooms, Kenyan legendary band known for classics such as Jambo Bwana and Embe Dodo
The event was all in all a refreshingly new experience with each day allowing a chance to discover new things. The Sondeka people came, saw and sondekad for sure. Aircraft made from scrap metal by Gabriel Nderitu
Dhol Xtasy next top Africa’s Dhol performing group, entertaining the audience Who does not love a good masquarade party.
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 6
Pret Fun
Namibia: More than biltong,
beer and sand dunes by Jessica Thomas Photos © Jessica Thomas
A
stigma exists that Namibia is a country laden with desert sand, people who drink beer and sit on the ‘stoep’ with a wooden pocket knife eating biltong. Let me dig around in the salad of wonder and get to the croissant of truth. Namibia is a cosmopolitan of vibrant and colorful people. Before you raise your eyebrows, I am not talking about skin color. I am referring to something much more thanmeets the eye. It’s about the cultural rainbow lingering as you wander along the gravel roads. As Chester Higgins, Jr once said: “We are not Africans because we are born in Africa; we are Africans because Africa is born in us. In this case I want to change the word Africa to Namibia. The Ovahimba, descents from northern Namibia, are a perfect example of living life in full color. Their skin is as richly red as the sand dunes. A mixture of the ochre pigment and butterfat is not applied because they want to stand out but due to water scarcity, and acting as a natural insect repellant. Their attire consists of fancy jewelry handcrafted with utmost care which indicates their age and status. This is perfectly rounded off with a calfskin skirt and sandals. The San people of the Kalahari survive without Gucci jeans and double storey homes. Their biggest concern is not to have the latest Apple product. They ponder peacefully around a fireplace about life under a mantle of stars on a silk carpet of red sand. Their nightlife consists of a zooming chirr of insects under the glowing moon. The Herero people are tres chic with their own special line existing of gaudy and lively colored garments. Donatella Versace’s latest red carpet creation looks like a fashion faux pas compared to their embellishment of pink, green, orange and matching head gear. There riches and wealth are not measured in the latest release of Mercedes but rather the amount of cattle they own. Don’t get me wrong, the people in Namibia don’t live simply; we simply live. Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 7
Nature provides us with the best adventure parks known to man. The playground is set in the Fish River Canyon which spans over a distance of 160km, a width of 27km and almost 550m deep. Enough with the technicalities; the Fish River Canyon brings about a change within your soul when you decide to hike this majestic wonder. It is a seamlessly limitless creation which varies in vegetation with every passing hour you spend walking. The descent of rocky outcrops quickly changes into soft white sand hugging your feet, transforming into a floor covered in stone tiles randomly placed and patches of solitude in the form of thorn trees. It is here where you can strip yourself naked of all the worlds’ worries and dig deep within yourself to find your true meaning of existence. It might have been my imagination but I think I could hear the stars whisper about the moons’ real identity. If this type of ruggedness is not really your craze, the Namib Desert holds its own enchantment. It is much more than just sand. Underneath the naked redness lie secrets that only those who look will find. The fun part about the desert is the dance of the wind and the romance between sky and dunes. You have to listen closely to hear the song and when you do, don’t refrain from tapping along to the beat. To cool off and wash away the sand from your lips, the rivers along the northern parts of the country are vigorous and snake like, but alongside the riverbeds are steppes, villages and towns. From afar and to the naked eye it looks almost weary, the people look sad and the trails disappear into a scene of huts. Upon closer scrutiny, you get to experience their souls as you watch fishermen come home from a day of labor to ensure their loved ones are taken care of. As daylight fades and the sun is swallowed up by the horizon, and the rough-skinned frogs prepare for their karaoke set, fire popping sounds can be heard all along the reeds and grass standing tall in the dark gum-like riverbed clay. The opportunities for the adrenalin seeker are endless. Be venturesome by hopping on a hot air balloon, be audacious and bold on a dune boarding expedition or let your hair loose on a sky diving adventure. If you are looking to nourish the romantic sizzle burning inside, the star speckled night life will leave you with peace and harmony, and as the sun greets the day, an orchestra of singing birds sets the mood for the day ahead. Namibia is more than a country, it’s a feeling.
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 8
What do you like to do? A
s I write this, I realize I am perhaps the person who will mislead you the most when writing on what I am about to write. I hardly represent the majority. I get a bit overwhelmed by the majority as it is always changing and using different words, though I think I may understand it. So I have asked others about their opinion when necessary. I am wholly relying on observations I’ve made on my friends. Not on what they say, for this is more often than not coloured with learned dishonesty, and what people declare themselves to be is not really what they are most of the time; but what they wish they could be.
Kenyans love to be with other Kenyans. I think this is a genuine fact, whether or not they like those Kenyans. When I say Kenyans here I do not really mean Kenyan in the legal sense, but really those who are in Kenya at any given time and place, regardless of citizenship. There is a general sense I get, everywhere, tha t it is good to be with people. To some it is even more important to be seen with these people. This is perhaps why being somewhere with people, to some, is a lot of times a mere prerequisite to the glory of having the Instagram photos and the general reportage over the social network sphere. Sometimes it’s just not the same if there is no reporting of the good news that people were with people. For others though, being with people in itself is the thrill. I mean, these are people who are fuelled by people. It is their joie de vivre; their exultation of spirit. It’s the spirit behind chamas, mothers bringing their friends to the house every Saturday, fathers going to be in some strange clubs on Friday night, girls moving in packs, children standing outside their gates looking to see if there’s other kids looking outside.
by Stephanie Wanga Photos © Sanaa Culture
Some Kenyans love to drink. I had to understand this because I have not really observed people drinking, so I asked my friend who loves to drink. He said, it makes them feel really good, and sometimes kazi ni ngumu; work is hard, one needs to relax; or maybe you just have nothing to do, it makes you feel happy. Happiness. Others love to party. I also had to ask a friend about this; and response was, “The excitement is in meeting people you haven’t seen, the excitement of surprise at what you know is coming. I asked someone else and they said it’s the feeling of hearing an African song that you’ve never heard before, but it has a strange power over you and it elevates you; and it’s an unimaginable feeling that seems too good to be true. When the song is at the climax you realize that this is real; this exists; this euphoric feeling can be felt in this life.” I also think there is a certain excitement that is a bit like a high that runs from the anticipation, to the dressing, from the arrival, to being recognised, to the departure and the relaxing tiredness of a night that has been. This is true both for Nairobi and the rural areas, I mean the market disco in my hometown is active and does not let those who would like to sleep, sleep. But it makes people happy. Girls and boys in heavily oiled bodies make their way in droves to these places, and they shout, scream and laugh; some have sneaked out of their bomas (traditional house) and others have finally been allowed to go, but excitement; excitement is the main thing; it is the purpose.
Furaha Fun
There are some people whose best company is themselves. They like to watch television alone, they like to go for frozen yoghurt alone, they like to watch movies alone, they like to play guitar alone. They could drive, for example from Nairobi to Kiambu, or from Nairobi to Limuru, and this relaxes them; seeing plantations and the colonial houses, and feeling a bit of the country. Some writers also need to be alone plenty. This stabilizes them, and for some in a sense it reminds them why it is that they go on with life; writing, music, driving, walking, reading, this is what makes life more liveable. For others, and this spans a wider area of the country, it is their romantic partners who are their source of joy, their excitement. Whatever it is they do with these people; even if it is just sitting next to them, is pure joy. For some this is an escape. It is a way to forget all else and be lost in someone. Some people do some of these things because it is the conventional thing to do, but it may not be what they enjoy. But of course fun must be discovered and not adopted, and I would only say people must not be scared to be individuals.
Some Kenyans love to just have a chill lunch with friends. For them it’s the bonding and the simplicity. Friends give you a place in the world and sometimes we ache for that place, because for some this gives them their identity, or at least it for a time supports a weak identity. It is also a good excuse to eat. Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 9
Kuchakala Fun
Salvado Uganda’s Funniest
by Clement Obonyo Photos Š Salvado
Patrick Idringi, commonly known as Salvado though of late because of his DSTV advert some people call him Dr. Turner. Born on the 14th of February 1985. After his huge break during the Miss Uganda finals in 2011 the 29 year old has never looked back. Spreading laughter through his performances in almost all countries in Africa. We are excited to reveal some of his projects. We sat down with him and to know more about one of the funniest man in Africa.
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 10
AM: When did you realize you have what it takes to be a comedian to be a comedian? SA: I have always been funny, but I didn’t know I could do it as a profession. There was a popular group in Kampala called, ‘Theatre Factory’ that had their shows on one of the theatres in Kampala, so when they got a TV deal, I had an opportunity to watch them with my sisters. One day the pioneer of standup comedy in Uganda Pablo came on stage and he was hilarious and my sisters told me I was funnier than him, so I got the courage and went to audition but I wasn’t even given the chance because the group was ‘full’. However, luck was on my side because a couple of months later there was an advertisement from Multichoice on the papers, about a competition that was looking for the funniest man in Uganda. I enrolled and qualified through the different stages till I came 2nd. I lost to Pablo; from that moment on I knew this was what I was meant to do.
my department and I knew for sure that’s where my future was and yet at the same time 2011 was my break through year in comedy, both were growing at a very high rate and somehow I managed to handle them successfully. Then a time came when I was supposed to get a promotion to Senior Engineer and it didn’t come, I was heartbroken. Nevertheless, comedy was really taking off. I was earning more money in a week doing comedy than I was earningin a month being an Engineer. I thought to myself, what if I gave 100% of my time to comedy wouldn’t I make more money? That’s when I made the decision to resign. A decision which has paid off dearly.
AM: You are an engineer by profession, what made you change your career path to comedy? SA: I am an Engineer; I worked for one of the biggest telecom networks in Uganda from 2007, when I was still in my 4th year at University, until 2011 when I resigned. I loved being an Engineer and I miss it a lot but I had to make the decision to resign in 2011 mainly because of the work load that both professions required. In 2011, I was at the peak of my Engineering career as I was the best in what I did in
AM: What was your first ever stand-up comedy performance? How was it like? SA: My first ever stand-up comedy performance was the first episode of MNET’s Stand-Up Uganda. I had only 90 seconds to impress the audience. I nailed it. That was the beginning of good things to come. It was nerve-racking and scary because it was the first time I was on stage as a comedian.
AM: What is the trick to being a good comedian? SA: The trick to being a good comedian is believing in yourself and in your abilities, but most of all studying and knowing your audience well.
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 11
AM: When did you form the Crackers? SA: I formed it right after Stand-Up Uganda competition had ended. I teamed up with two of my colleagues who were finalists in the competition and together, we formed it. AM: Where did you get the name the Crackers from? SA: It was suggested by one of the founding members, he said it has a good sound to it. AM: When was your big break as a performer? SA: My big break came in June, 2011 when I was called to perform at the Miss Uganda Finals. I had never been on a platform of that magnitude that had the elites of the country. I was warned not to do below the belt jokes, as in keep it clean, yet some of my trademark jokes are centered around that. So after my ten minutes performance, the organizers realized I had stage command so they added me another role, that of being the one to invite the entertainers. I would crack a joke and then invite a musician until the lights just went off for about 40mins, those were the minutes that changed my life because the organizers said the girls couldn’t come on the cat walk without light. So, I had to continue entertaining the audience with my jokes, this time I was given the liberty to crack any joke. I did. It was a well-organized and well- timed performance that saved the evening. It is from that night that I stamped my name among Uganda’s finest comedians. AM: What inspires your jokes? SA: I’m inspired by whatever happens around me, especially my family and friends because most of my jokes are either personal experiences or experiences from my families and friends. AM: Apart from being a comedian what are your other hobbies? SA: I like sports. Before I put on weight I was quite good in soccer, but just as a hobby. Nowadays with all this unfitness I play games that don’t require too much physical work like pool. AM: Are you dating? Do you have family of your own? SA: I am currently in a relationship . I have a two year old daughter with the woman I am in a relationship with. Hopefully, when the time is right we shall get married. AM: How do you balance time traveling and time for your child? SA: It’s quite challenging but when I am at home, I make sure I spend 90% of it with her, somehow I’ve managed. AM: What does your typical day look like? SA: It’s spontaneous. Sometimes it starts off very busy and sometimes I can stay home all day, so it really depends on my work schedule. AM: What are the challenges you face as a performer, especially here in Africa? SA: Comedians are not appreciated enough, yet the job we do to keep people entertained is not easy. An artist can release three songs and feed off them for up to three years or more, but for a comedian, once you have told a joke, you have to look for a new one the next time you perform for an audience. An artist can perform at a wedding for twenty minutes and is given over 200,000 Kenya Shillings and a comedian who doubles as the MC to make sure your event is successful is given 20,000 Kenya Shillings. It just doesn’t make any sense and unless that changes, we will always hustle to make it. Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 12
AM: How would you describe the industry of Stand- Up Comedy? SA: The industry is growing at a very fast and positive rate, especially here in Uganda. I am proud to be among the people at its forefront, nowadays no function or event is complete without a comedian. We’ve become an integral part of any entertainment event. AM: What would you want to be doing if you weren’t a comedian? SA: I have always wanted to own my own Engineering consultancy firm. AM: What is the most beautiful place you have visited in Africa? SA: Mauritius and Zanzibar. great places AM: Your best gig so far? SA: I’ve had a couple of amazing gigs but the one I will always cherish is the first time I did an international gig, and that was at the Bomas of Kenya in Nairobi, I wasn’t popular by then but the feedback after my performance was just mind blowing. AM: How did you become an ambassador of Maisha Magic? SA: I’ve done a couple of projects for DSTV, most recently the Dr. Turner campaign so I guess it was just logical for me to be considered when deciding.
AM: What drives you? SA: My daughter as well as my desire to be better than my last performance. AM: Most embarrassing moment on stage? SA: The most embarrassing moment happened sometime in 2013 in Nigeria, I was the hottest new entrant in the industry after doing about twelve tours with Basketmouth in different states in Nigeria. I was hired by Access Bank to perform at their end of year party. Unfortunately the traffic from my hotel to the venue was terrible that I arrived almost two hours late. When I reached, I didn’t have enough time to study the audience so I became nervous and worst still the previous performers were top notch artists: P-Square, MI and Ice Prince who had all rocked. When it was my turn I started well but because I didn’t study my audience to know that they were drinking, which meant I needed quick one liner jokes, I started telling stories, I realized things were not going well. When the audience started clapping before I hit the punch line, I asked them if I should leave and they said yes. I left. It was a low moment. AM: How did you grow in the industry? SA: For everyone to grow they have to work hard, I have worked very hard to achieve what I have achieved and I am not about to stop. The only reason why I’m good at what I do is because I stick to what I do. Many people forget the reason they became famous or rich and start dwelling on other things thus rendering them irrelevant in the long run. I’m a comedian and Comedy is what I will do.
AM: Are we expecting a show from you in the channel? SA: Currently I’m working on a project with Maisha Magic .It’s still in its infant stages so I am praying for the best because it will do a lot for the success of the entertainment industry. AM: Any plans for the new year? SA: I have a lot of plans next year, a lot of targets and things I’d like to achieve which unfortunately I can’t disclose. However, I’m optimistic I will achieve them because God has been good to me and I’m sure the blessings aren’t about to stop. AM: Future long term goals? SA: I’d like to mentor and see new faces in comedy, my aim is to be part of a legacy that makes sure African comedy is recognized globally, and with the way things are moving, there is a lot of promise. AM: Any achievements so far? SA: Interims of recognition, as in awards, none. But I have been nominated twice for Young Achievers awards and Kadanke Youth Awards. On a personal basis, I have achieved most of what any aspiring comedian would dream of.
AM: What is the difference in the comedy industry in Uganda and other African countries? SA: It’s actually the same because as Africans 50% of the experiences we narrate are the same. AM: Who has had the most impact so far in your career? SA: BasketMouth. Because he is the most selfless person I have known all my life. His input in my career is just tremendous and I owe him a lot. AM: Do you learn from other African comedians? SA: As a comedian it would be foolish to think you’re the best, every day is a learning process in every comedians life. Sometimes I may have a joke that Churchill can deliver best and we share it and vice versa, so we learn from each other especially when we have time to meet. Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 13
Msangulutso Fun
S ’ I W A L A M N U F E T E L P Y R COM A R E N I T I D E K C PA
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Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 14
While going up, motorists should be mindful of the hairpin corners that I personally counted to be up to 40 and more and steep slopes that characterize a better part of the 10km distance from the foot of the mountain to the top where accommodation is readily available for those that opt for self catering and have an eye on their budget. Chingwe’s Hole is a bottomless pit on the plateau and is rumored to have been used by local chiefs in the old days to get rid of their enemies, or those who suffered from small pox. The legend has it that to get down to the bottom, a rope was used hence the name “chingwe” which means rope. You can only experience the story and not hear or read about it. If you have love for trail walking then you have several options to your When you think you are done with all that fun, visit KuChawe curio market and you will be astonished at the immense talent that Malawi advantage to choose from: To Trout Farm via Mulunguzi Dam and has when it comes to carvings. Popular curios are Noah’s Arch, Mandala Falls. A pleasant walk through indigenous evergreen forest beside the stream, part of this walk forms the Mulunguzi Nature Trail, Monkeys, The Big Five and the family frame that explains what the social cohesion means in Malawi, the Larger than Life Giraffe will Chagwa Dam via Mulunguzi Dam; For 90 minutes, Songani lookout make you pull off one into your travelling van. via Queen’s view and Emperors View, a lazy walk through forestry plantation for 120 minutes. The potato trail is a most popular and Moving back to Zomba town you will get all the history you need to enjoyable trail to take .It was named after the regular use of famers know. Drive slowly indeed because the residents are warmhearted who take their potatoes to Zomba Town market place and will always wave at you, all you need to do is wave back. Zomba Market, African Riffles and World War Pillar are what makes Zomba a Horse riding sport or if you like to call it the Stables, is on offer historical destination you should know about. for approximately USD30 per hour per person .It does not matter Mulunguzi dam was constructed by the Ministry of Water Development and Irrigation. This big body of chilled water is the home of trout fish, which is also available at a nearby Trout Farm where people can lodge and pick it as a choice for dinner or lunch. On its menu.
whether you are an amateur or an experienced horse rider. All the types of visitors will be accommodated with personalized services. Their owners ,the Parsons Family and Maggie in particular are always happy and ready to go and lead you on this ride as they impart the skill and underpinning knowledge that make your ride unforgettable and worth your dollars.
As you leave Malawi, there are phrases that will always fill your ears: Thank you for staying with us (Yendani bwino) Bon voyage, when are you coming to Malawi? Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 15
Furaha Fun
H_ART THE BAND W
hat do you call art from the heart? Yes, you guessed it right. The answer is Hart.
That is how the Kenyan based dynamic trio, Hart the band coined their name .They love what they do and what makes them stand out is their variety of art from poetry to fashion and music. The band consists of Mordecai Kimeu the lead vocalist, Slam Africa Poet King- Kenneth Muya- the self- taught guitarist as well as actor and Wachira Gatama. The three met in 2012 during their acting days, where Mordecai auditioned Kenneth and Wachira for a play on cancer-awareness at the Kenya National Theatre. The play had music, poetry and acting. As they acted together they found that they had similar interests. After the play they continued going to Kenyan National Theatre to jam together. After which they joined Sauti Academy which is a one year artist development program under Penya Africa. That is where they met their manager Natalie Lukkenaer. . Natalie was their teacher Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 16
by Clement Obonyo Photos © H_art the Band
while in Sauti Academy and she nurtured and developed their talent. She has been with them since the beginning of their career so it seemed fitting for her to be their manager. They describe their music as Afropoerty. This is music with an African touch fused with poetry. This fresh new style has proved to be an industry game changer. Poetry was never considered a significant art but all this changed when they released their first single Uliza Kiatu (Ask My Shoe). A song about a shoe’s testimony. In the song the shoe gives its testimony of what the man has to go through so as to give a girl the finer things in life. If the girl knew its struggles she would appreciate his efforts. The song has the heavenly voice of Modercai on the track with the timely rhymes of Wachira and Kenchez’s (Kenneth) skillful guitar chords sum it all up into a beautiful harmony.. It was a smash hit. In addition to that they released an artistic allegorical video.
easy for them since they have known each other for a long time. Ultimately they engage the audience so as to make them part and parcel of the show. In one of their recent shows they had a wedding proposal during their performance which to them was a special moment. This exemplified the impact of their music on their audience. Despite the problems of the Kenyan music industry, Hart the Band are still able to maintain their originality. In the latest promotion campaign of their new video, they will be going back to where they started performing, the streets. Every place they perform, they leave a sticker. If someone sees the sticker, takes a picture and tags them, they will get to be in the video.
What stands out most about Hart the band is their performance. Their performance can be described as fun, comical, engaging, all in all just a totally different feeling. It’s an experience. .. On stage they get an opportunity to mix up all their talents: Poetry, Music and Theatre. Their acting experience allows them to study the needs of their audience. The audience get more than their money’s worth.. The band always tries to keep their performance upbeat by switching things up with what they call random moments. For example Freestyle performance, or acting out a skit..In one of their performances they did a skit where they were pretending to play a childhood game called “Kalongo” (Playing House). This took the audience by surprise but they still enjoyed it as they were made to think of their childhood days. This kind of freestyle performance is
This originality and creativity has been well received, with performances all over Kenya and a few outside Kenya. It proves to be a breath of fresh air that is long overdue in the music industry. However, to my surprise they admitted that their best show so far was when they performed during a school closing date in Dandora. The school constitutes orphans and children affected in the 2007 post- election violence. The children sang some of their lines. This was surprising to them. They did not realise their music had such a huge impact. They loved the intimacy with the children. It was a humbling experience for them. They are one of the bands with the innovative perspective to art. Other bands they interact with and are growing with include: Sarabi, Vereso, Octave and poets such as Teardrops. Their plan for next year is to release another album. Their versatility and their music which is heavily inspired by day to day activities make them the trio band to look out for on the coming years. Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 17
Furaha Fun
Kitendo Children’s Charity
by Jullianne Obonyo Photo © Marcus Gregar-Rive
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few months ago I attended the Rift Valley Festival. It is a concert that aims to showcase music, art and the African culture. At the venue, there were several stands that were showcasing different products. While on this venture, I came I across KCC (Kitendo Children’s Charity) and there is where I met Marcus Gregar-Rive, the founder of KCC. KCC is a NGO that assists children in their holistic development. They provide psychological, nutritional, educational and health services with the end goal of nurturing a healthy and wellrounded individual who then gives back to the community. The values and virtues they instill in the children help them have a positive outlook in life. Apart from having a livelihood women’s group that makes jewelry, KCC also provides medical care to the community. Marcus left his job in New Zealand to come and help build schools here in Kenya.I was a retail manager. In 2008, Marcus read an article about the postelection violence that was happening in Kenya. “I cried as I saw the pictures and read what was going on,” he recalled. He did not have much knowledge about the African continent and
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 18
much less about Kenya. For a man who grew up in a community that upheld mutual respect for each other cultures, he found himself at odds trying to understand the context of the postelection violence in Kenya. How people could slaughter each other mercilessly in the name of belonging to different tribes was bizarre to him. This incident sparked his interest to learn about Africa. .After reading about East Africa, he knew that he wanted to visit Kenya and help people. Marcus came to Kenya in August 2009 through New Zealand (NZ) volunteer organization, International Volunteers HQ (IVHQ). , He came with the intention to volunteer for child care. When he arrived in Nairobi he was taken to KCC(Kenya Cooperative cremeries) slums which is on the outskirts of Naivasha. After the visit Marcus realized that there were many needs among the residents and mostly the children. KCC children had no food and they suffered from severe malnutrition. It was then that he received his conviction to provide a solution for the children in the slum area. After speaking with a few social workers and elders in the region and with the help of a his team mates, Kitendo
Children’s Charity was born on September 9th 2009 The first step was to identify the children and families who would benefit from the programme. After identifying 100 children, they began a feeding programme whereby each child was fed with porridge three day a week. They also ensured that these children had access to medical care. In addition, Marcus and his team began to build basic classrooms where the children would receive educational training. Funding was not easy; however, they got support from New Zealand as well as local volunteers. The KCC school devised a meticulous way of selecting the children who enroll into the school. They consider the child’s age, nutritional needs and family background. In addition the child is taken through an interview. Once admitted, each family must pay KShs 200 for firewood per term as well as ensure the student has a school uniform. The school admits 25-30 children annually. Since he started the organization in 2009 he has dealt with a number of challenges majorly culture shock and cultural misconceptions Being a foreigner in Kenya attracts potential misunderstanding and certain misinformed assumptions from people.
Today, Marcus has a huge team behind him there are teachers, cooks, watchmen, farmers, an accountant and the management team. Together they have achieved a couple of projects. Their projects are based on education, nutrition, health, empowerment, sustainability and construction. The first project which was targeted for children was all about supporting 150 vulnerable children with food and nutrition, education, psychosocial and health services and also provide primary school aged girls with monthly sanitary towels and relevant health education. The second was targeted at empowering women. They teach women relevant knowledge and skills to sustain their livelihoods. For instance, they make paper bead jewelry and give back a small percentage of their sales to the children’s projects. The third project was public health and in this project, they partnered with health stakeholders to organize and operate targeted medical camps that include general health services, HIV testing and counseling, cancer screening and more. In the fourth project they built schools and all the necessary infrastructure relating to education which is a core segment of their year round fundraising efforts. Their last project was farming. They grew crops and reared livestock so as to support the programme’s nutritional needs and create local employment opportunities for people living in the KCC informal settlement. “Our projects are purely based on the needs of the community.”
Marcus is planning to build dormitories, KCC Primary School and a vocational school. They also plan to run more medical camps and see the women’s group relocate from the informal settlement. His most memorable moment was when he got six children enrolled into primary school in 2010. It was special because all those children were older and that was their first time in primary school and their excitement through the realization of having the chance to get ahead in life was very special. “We drove them up to the school in bright new uniforms and their energy and happiness is something I will never ever forget.” He said proudly. In his closing remarks, Marcus advised anyone who would like to start a charity to begin by asking themselves the hard questions such as;” Do you want to still be doing this in 5-10 years?” and “Does Kenya really need this organization?” If your answer is yes, be diligent, see it through and do things to the best of your ability. Don’t give up or take short cuts. Have a vision for and commitment to quality and to what it looks like. Be transparent, accountable and keep it simple. Focus on a need you are passionate about and do it well. Don’t be fooled that you will make lots of money. If you do you won’t last in the long run. Be creative and think about things differently. Don’t just think of this as just another organization.
If you are moved by this cause... ...and you would like to help, there are a couple of ways you can help They sell a KCC shirt, this shirt feeds kids in Kenya and the jewelry both of which support the projects through the donations that they generate. You can donate through Lipa na MPESA, pay bill number 935600. You can also volunteer or do an internship with them. For businesses they have a CSR programme where companies of all sizes can donate towards small or big projects like the school construction through a percentage of their budgets, a lump sum or goods in-kind. They have excellent communications and they constantly recognize and appreciate their supporters and donors online and through our monthly newsletters You can contact them through their website www.kccslumproject.org and you can email them at info@kccslumproject. org, or you can call them at 0714281294 or 0713549354. You can also like their Facebook page and keep up with all their activities “facebook.com/kccslumproject”. Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 19
Ukusekesha Fun
Aerobics Mania in Zambia
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by Chansa Kapapuna Photos © Style Fitness
here’s a fitness revolution across my country. If you’re on Facebook, you’ve probably seen fitness squads of different cities, meeting up and having early morning runs. It’s absolutely amazing. The other day, I witnessed something incredible, “Aerobics Mania by Defined Style Fitness”. This event was held at Copperbelt University in Kitwe. I was in awe .I have never witnessed anything this extraordinary and this fun. The event was created to motivate and encourage people to exercise regularly. There were people of various ages working out to everyday popular music on a Friday evening. I had heard about the workout club parties in Lusaka and was glad to see this happen in my city as well .The music was played at a relatively high tempo and could get, even the laziest of people to move! Everyone was well looked after and was kept hydrated with mineral water. I found this to be really helpful with temperatures as high as 30 degrees Celsius that evening. This event was an eye opener for me and other people as well. There is a belief that to keep fit or workout one needs a lot of expensive equipment or a gym membership. Defined Style fitness takes these worries away. They travel from city to city bringing club music and aerobics to the people. What I witnessed is enough to motivate me to travel to wherever they might be next.
Afrikan Mbiu / DEC-JAN - 20
I am an African, not because I was born in Africa but because Africa was born in me - Kwame Nkrumah
Photo Š Sanaa Culture