The Promota Africa magazine - January Issue 2014

www.thepromota.co.u

BUSINESS | LIFESTYLE | CULTURE | IMMIGRATION | BEAUTY

EMPOWERING DIASPORA DIASPORAS AS

ISSUE NO NO. 30 | WINTE

UK£2.50|UGX5000|KSH200|TSH3000|RWF250

WOMEN:

Patrick Bitature

Secrets FROM MEN

On Investment

Liberia–

Children

FIGHT

Corruption

SUCCESS Principles We Often Forget MAGIC Johnson

STILL BEATING HIV 22 Years Later

Fight Female genital mutilation

Oprah:

Madiba

Inspired me

to Change The Lives Of South African Girls

Interview:

Nelson

Dangote

Big Cats of Africa

Mandela: A Tribute

4

13th Sept th

2014

Ugandan UK Convention

UK Trade & Investment Forum

Content 22

Inspiring South African young girls

58 86

Magic Johnson Still Beating HIV 22 Years Later

Cover story 20 Success Principles We Often Forget 22 Nelson Mandela: A Tribute 34 Big Cats of Africa 38 Interview: Dangote 50 Women: Secrets from Men 58 Oprah: Madiba Inspired me to Change the Lives of South African Girls 62 Patrick Bitature on investment 86 Magic Johnson Still Beating HIV 90 Liberia–Children Fight Corruption 94 Fight Female genital mutilation Regular 5 Publisher’s Letter 6 Celebrity News: Gossip, News Updates 32 Car Review - Lotus Evora’S Sports Racer Technology: 10 Top Gadget 12 Africa: Business News Briefs 57 Cellphone loans take off in Kenya Fashion: 16 For Him 18 For Her 43 A Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin’s second-Africa Fashion Day 44 Kente Blazer 45 Get Your Perfect Lashes – 5 Tricks 46 Anita Quansah London 56 Fashion by Gloria Katatumba 93 Gladys Kyotungire wins Miss Uganda UK 2013

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34 Feature and opinion 30 Mandela: Top 10 moments from Barack Obama’s speech and celebrity tweets 42 Why the UK is losing its religion 51 South African Businesses Rising to the Challenge of HIV & AIDS 52 How to Rid Your Life of Negativity 88 Teacher Belvien brings good education to Congo and UK 89 I shall steal from Myself!

91 God Loves Uganda 94 Female genital mutilation Community 40 The Aga Khan - commemorating 40 years of Uganda Asians settlement in the UK. 43 Has Diaspora Youth lived upto parents expectations?

49 Rising From Disfigured to Dignified 60 Juba – South Sudan Returning Home 63 The 3rd UK Convention, Another successful forum 83 HE. Prof. J.K. Kikafunda, presented her credentials 96 Uganda UK Gospel Concert 2013 Interview 38 Aliko Dangote - CEO Dangote Group 54 10 minutes with Sarah Ndagire Business and Finance 20 10 Success Principles 36 Practical tips for success in Africa 38 Interview: Aliko Dangote 48 Is good governance always a prerequisite for investment in Africa?

53 Don’t See Obstacles, See Opportunities

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HSGH SGHS

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THE PROMOTA

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Content

62

63

52 30

29

34

16

38 Aliko Dangote CEO Dangote Group

92 Lord Sheikh urges Uganda to do more to attact UK investors Health 51 How South African Businesses are Rising to the Challenge of HIV & AIDS 80 Has the dreaded IBS finally met its match?

82 Healthy and Delicious Foods That You May Not Think of When Grilling 81 Which is Better For Weight Loss; Diet or Exercise?

81 What Men say to Trick you out of using Condoms

43

UK Convention After-Party

Uganda: Kampala

SHOP/ OFFICE UNIT TO RENT/SALE Located: Tirupati Mazima Mall Located on Gaba Rd, adjacent to Quality Cuts, a few meters from the American Embassy.

Other occupants includes Woolworths, NADO’s, Banks, Supermarket Uchumi Holdings and many others.

76 4 | THE PROMOTA

Designed on 1.2 acres, this shopping mall comprise of:• 4 Floors of retail shops, • 1 Floor of offices • 1 Floor of supermarket space • 2 Floors of parking space able to • accommodate over 200 cars at any one time.

UK Enquiry: Mobile: +447790 647 089 | Email: info@thepromota.co.uk

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E

Publisher’s Letter

2

013 wasn’t an ordinary year. The world witnessed U.S. President Barack Obama shaking hands with Cuba’s Raul Castro at a memorial for Nelson Mandela, a rare gesture between leaders of two ideological opponents that reflected the anti-apartheid hero’s spirit of reconciliation. I still believe that this is the time to review cold-political ideologies and find common grounds between foe countries to move on, for the sake of future generations.

The passing of Nelson Mandela has left everyone despondent, saddened atlosing one of the most wonderfuland selfless politicians who has ever lived. Condolences and messages have been flooding in from all over the world on media platforms. People from different corners of the world share the notion that Mandela’s legacy shines brightly in its humility and love for his people.

As a politician, Mandela was very humble, forgiving and selfless with no chip on his shoulder. No wonder the whole world weeps at his passing.

I like Obama’s remark: “There are too many leaders who claim solidarity with Madiba’s struggle for freedom but do not tolerate dissent from their own people”. I wonder whether Africans leaders passively supported Mandela’s cause without emulating anyof the values that led to the collapse of apartheid. Watching Mandela’s video clips played on

Chairman and Publisher: Mr. Willy Mutenza Managing Director: Mrs. Miria Kayitesi Chief Editor: Ade Daramy Features Editor: Isabelle Gravenstein

There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.” Mandela

most media channels, we note one powerful quality throughout: dialogue and peaceful methods is the only way to achieve long lasting peace.

2013 has seen some other successes and adversity. M23, a rebel group in DRC Congo has been defeated. But sadly, there has been an escalation of unlawful killings, sexual violence, recruitment of child soldiers and other grave crimes in Central African Republic. Joseph Kony, at the head of one of the rebel groups terrorising the Central African Republic, after causing decades of atrocities in Uganda, is also in talks to give up arms.

On the development spectrum, Kenya launched a ground-breaking infrastructure project ($5.2bn£3.2bn) its largest since gaining independence 50 years ago. The project will see the creation of a Chinese-financed railway line extending across East Africa to reach South Sudan, DR Congo and Burundi.

and has amassed a wealth worth over $500million. Again, this is a testament that regardless of your circumstances, you can rise above them up and realise that dream of yours.

Uganda’s Stephen Kiprotich won a second gold in Moscow for Uganda, following a miraculous Olympic triumph in London 2012.

On our side, 2013 was a good year for the Promota Events. One of our sister companies managed to host its third Uganda Investment Convention, attracting more than 1000 people.

Among the many dignitaries who attended was HE Edward Ssekandi, Vice President of Uganda, Lord Sheikh, government ministers and an array of investors interested in the East African market.

I would like to wish you all, dear readers, a very successful New Year, which must be preceded with positive inspiration and vast amounts of courage to pursue your dreams to their full realisation.

In this issue, we feature more inspiring success stories of African entrepreneurs to inspire our readers to take a pledge to pursue their dreams even if it means starting small.

And as our editor Isabelle urges us often, let Love be your guiding light in life, and all will turn out fine and for the best! Think positive, be positive!

Some people do not settle for small though. Magic Johnson has lived positively with HIV for 20 years

Willy Mutenza

Fashion Editor: Christelle Kedi Commercial Director: Sophia Mwanauta

Publisher email: info@thepromota.co.uk

+44 7950 285 493

Contributing Writers: Isabelle Gravenstein, Ade Daramy, Christelle Kedi, Tracy Kirabo, Sophia Mwanauta The Promota is published: Under licence from Promota Group

Uganda Operations: William Makumbi Fashion Editor: Crystal Deroche

Enquiries T: +(44) 207 237 7317 | M: +(44) 7950 285 493 E: info@thepromota.co.uk | w: www.thepromota.co.uk

Copyright 2013. Reserved by The Promota. Reproduction in whole or in part without prior permission is strictly prohibited. Transparencies and unsolicited manuscripts: are submitted at owner’s risk and, while every care is taken, neither The Promota nor its agents accept liability for loss or damage. Our contributors offer a diversity of opinions; their views are their own and not necessarily shared by The Promota.

THE PROMOTA

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Latest interviews, updates and news from around the world

DID ‘U’ KNOW

Ja Rule denies gay claim

Susan Boyle Wrongly Diagnosed With Brain Damage

Simon Cowells

Ja Rule has denied leaving his wife for his prison cell mate.

$360 Million Wealth to go to Charity and not Children Simon Cowell would rather leave his fortune to a charity fir kids and dogs than share it with his offspring. Music mogul Simon Cowell says he “let down” his friend Andrew Silverman when he had an affair and fathered a child with his then-wife Lauren.

Susan Boyle has revealed she was wrongly diagnosed with brain damage as a child, but was ‘relieved’ to discover she was actually suffering from Asperger syndrome.

The ‘Britain’s Got Talent’ star says she suffered years of bullying and was given the nickname of ‘Susie Simple’ at school.

The rapper’s wife Aisha Atkins reportedly made the claim on MTV’s Married Life After Prison, and reports Metro, the quotes were then shared online. Atkins allegedly said: “He wrote all them love songs and still don’t know how to treat a bitch... We spent 10-plus years building our marriage but all was a wate of time.

Is 'sympathise' the new 'like'?

Facebook comes up with new emotion button for sad occasions

And ks Tired er o o L a n n Riha Dinn n Solo Glum O ite Drake Rosp Date De umours R e c man Katy Perry opens up about

about Russell Brand split:

P-square Response to Those Not Happy with His Marriage To Lola.

In his words: “I am very excited today because I am getting married to a very wonderful woman. She is a very strong woman who has stood by me through it all. I know she will make me a happy man.”

You don’t expect a man to dump a lady who has stood by him just like that… People should support them!

Afrobeat Star Pop Princess Katy Perry has revealed that she plummeted into a very dark place following her split from Russell Brand. The squirty-cream loving singer wed the bushy-haired comedianturned-actor in 2010, but their marriage only lasted a year.

6 | THE PROMOTA

Users would select a negative feeling like 'depressed' from a set list of emotions when commenting on something. Instead of 'like', your status would then be changed to 'sympathise' instead.

FEMI KUTI Nominated for 2014 Grammy Awards

BebE Cool

U

ganda’s award winning king of reggae (real name Moses Ssali) was nominated for the third time as the most influential East African artists. In 2013 he has battled on stage with mega African artists including D’Banj.

He performed at Mandela’s 90th Birthday in London. He has performed on international concerts than any artist in East Africa.

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CELEBRITY NEWS

MALEMA on most influential Africans list

Kris & Bruce Jenner

Share Friendly Kiss On Family Cinema Date Following Thanksgiving Celebrations. The estranged

couple remain the best of friends despite their split.

French MPs approve PROSTITUTION BILL

The French parliament has approved a controversial bill penalising anyone paying for sex. French lawmakers were debating one of Europe’s toughest laws against prostitution and sex trafficking.

Rich and famous people who use Twitter are morons, says Clooney Comedian ALEX MUHANGI Named Ambassador Of Nameless Telecom Operator

“The 2013 list offers a glimpse into the diverse breed of young and established leaders intent on reinventing the face of Africa,” the magazine said in a statement.

Among the 22 South Africans were former president Thabo Mbeki, former minister Jay Naidoo, fashion mogul Precious Motsepe, Economic Freedom Fighters leader Julius Malema, comedian Trevor Noah and businessman Johann Rupert.

The Butler: r An all-star cast includes d Oprah Winfrey and Forest Whitaker This US hit has got O Oscar contender written all over it.

It’s over:

Khnloe

ia dofimles Kavorrcde fraomsh Lamar O for di age. ars of marri after four ye

'I dumped yo u!' Lama Odom says he wa of his marria nted ou ge... even though Khloe Kardashian actually filed for divorce

Chris Brown Booted From Rehab

For Throwing Rock At Mom's Car Chris Brown was booted from his rehab program earlier this month for throwing a rock through his mom’s car window.

KIMYE SET FOR PALACE OF VERSAILLE WEDDING Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are planning to hold their wedding ceremony at the Palace of Versaille in France. A source told us: "Kanye has never been married and wants a big [wedding].

They are not working with a budget."

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Based on the life of a black l American butler who served r seven presidents.

Forest o Whitaker plays Cecil, a cotton o picker turned butler who’s h offered a job at the White House o in 1957. Oprah Winfrey puts in a strong turn as Cecil’s wife w while James Marsden is perfectly cast as John F Kennedy.

Tulisa Contostavlos charged with supplying drugs

Singer Tulisa Contostavlos has been charged with supplying drugs after selling cocaine to an undercover journalist.

www.thepromota.co.uk

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ar ut n n e

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s

s r s

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HSGH TOP GADGET SGHS

Samsung

Galaxy S4

Specialized Turbo $5900 - http://uncrate.com

The S4 is far from a bad phone, it would be the best Android phone you can buy. And one can't help but think that had Samsung poured all of its innovation into maximizing the practical user experience—instead of highly ignorable gimmicks—it might have taken the crown.

Samsung Galaxy S4 Specs • Network: All major U.S. carriers • OS: Android 4.2.2 with TouchWiz UI • CPU: 1.9 GHz quad-core Snapdragon 600 • Screen: 5-inch 1920x1080 Super AMOLED (441PPI) • RAM: 2GB • Storage: 16 or 32GB + micro SD up to 64GB • Camera: 13MP rear / 2MP front • Battery: 2600 mAh Li-Ion • Dimensions: 5.38 x 2.75 x 0.31 inches • Weight: 4.59 ounces • Price: Starts at $200 with a two-year contract

£387 - www.direct.asda.com

Who said electric bikes had to be slow? The Specialized Turbo Bike ($TBA) is focused squarely on speed, capable of gliding at nearly 28 mph, while charging in a mere two hours. Other features include trackready looks, a battery that’s integrated into the down tube, thru-axles in the front and rear, internal cable routing for a clean look, Magura MT Carbon hydraulic brakes with carbon levers, a custom alloy fork, an electronic interface, and LED lights, all controlled from a wireless computer that keep track of your speed, distance, and even your heart rate with an ANT+ accessory.

ReVive PowerUp

Grace Digital ECOXGEAR

£19 - www.amazon.co.ukk

£99 - www.amazon.co.uk .coo uk

ReVIVE PowerUP 4P Rapid Car Charger & DC Splitter Adapter w/ Dual DC & Universal USB Charging Ports for Phones, MP3 Players, & More DCPowered Devices

Rugged and Waterproof Wireless Bluetooth Speaker

If you enjoy your music wherever you go then Grace Digital's ECOXGEAR line of products is the choice for you.

Looking for a wireless Bluetooth speaker system then the ECOXBT is your perfect portable solution. The ECOXBT wirelessly connects to your smartphone, tablet, or laptop providing a rugged and waterproof mobile Bluetooth speaker and speakerphone solution.

A-Solar Power Nova Backpack £100 - www.amazon.co.uk A-solar is the awardwinning manufacturer of practical outdoor solutions for charging mobile phones, PDAs, MP3/MP4 players, iPods/ iPhones, SatNavs , eBook readers and other mobile devices.

10 | THE PROMOTA

Xbox 720

Campingaz Powerbox £53 - www.amazon.co.uk

Designed for longer camping or road trips, this coolbox can be used as a chest-style cooler or an upright fridge. It can be hooked up to the car battery or a mains connection, has a 36l capacity and when upright can store three 1.5l bottles vertically.

The newest intellect – collected from released Ms demonstrations and components – is that the console will include Blu-ray support, the ability to record from live TV, 3D game playing and a restored Xbox xbox 360 kinect device that will apparently work with enhanced reality cups.

www.thepromota.co.uk

TOP GADGET WINTER Sony’s New SmartWatch 2

GoPro HD Hero3

The SmartWatch 2 is Sony’s attempt to headoff the rumoured Apple iWatch, so let’s hope it’s actually worth buying this time.

£200 - http://slrhut.co.uk

The GoPro HERO3: Silver Edition Camera is smaller and lighter than its predecessor. It’s also Wi-Fi enabled. The HERO3 is designed for recording action sports and it comes with a rugged, waterproof housing that can go down to a depth of 197’ (60 m). The camera captures up to Full HD 1920 x 1080p video at 30 fps, but it also captures 960p, 720p and 480p video as well. Plus, it supports NTSC and PAL, and it can record up to 120 fps. For still images, the HERO3 supports 5, 8 and 11-megapixel photos.

£72 - www.amazon.co.uk

Turtle Shell Boombox

Stick-N-Find

£99 - www.amazon.co.uk

Ultra small Sticker with Bluetooth, that you can stick on any device, person or animal, and find them with your Smart Phone (Apple iOS & Android).

$59 www.sticknfind.com

Stick-N-Find have a Rang Stickers e 100 Feet, with of about that lasts for a Battery over a year.

Outdoor Technology Turtle Shell e Wireless Boom Box (Black)

by Outdoor Technology o box with Bluetooth connectivity • Portable and wireless boom t and built for action • Durable, water resistant, • Range of up to 33-Feet fr from any Bluetooth-enabled device d or talk time as well as kickin' bass • 9-10 hours of Hi-Fi sound .5 • Measures 5.5-Inch by 3.5-Inch by 2.5-Inch and weighs 0.75 pounds

Solar Charger Beach Bag HP Slate 7 £129 www.h20386.www2.hp.com/UKStore

It make use of solar power and transform the power into electricity. You can charge Sony EricssonK750, Nokia N70, Samsung D800, moto v3, micro 5 pin and iPhone and etc. With mini USB input and USB output.

The HP Slate 7, priced at £129 with an instant rebate, is quite cheap as Android tablets go. But compared with other value models, it doesn't deliver as good an experience.

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Isn't it very useful and convenient? It worth owning this eco-friendly bag.

THE PROMOTA

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AFRICA: BUSINESS NEWS BRIEFS

Prudential Plc Acquires Ghana’s Express Life Insurance Business

China To Support Africa’s Leading Cotton-Producing Nations

UK’s biggest insurer by market value, Prudential Plc (PRU) has acquired LeapFrog Investments’ majority stake in leading Ghanaian insurer Express Life for an undisclosed sum. Prudential’s acquisition of the Ghanaian insurer marks its entry into the fast-growing African life insurance market and into an emerging consumer market pioneered

by LeapFrog Investments, a specialist investor in insurance underwriters and financial services in Africa and Asia.

China says it will expand cotton production operations with four major African cottonproducing countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad and Mali), otherwise known as the C4.

NASENI, Chinese Firm To Build 3 Power Plants In Nigeria Nigeria’s National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI) has partnered with the China Great Wall Industry Corporation to build three power plants estimated at $171 million. The deal aims to aid the Nigerian agency in its equipment and tools manufacturing drive and to also increase electricity supply in Nigeria.

Two of the plant will be for manufacturing transformers and solar cells while the third is a high voltage testing laboratory.

Why Nigeria has not developed – CBN ABEOKUTA — The Central Bank of Nigeria, CBN, has said high level corruption, inadequate infrastructure and rising unemployment, among others, in the country have been the bane of development.

The move signifies China’s commitment in promoting the capacity of the C4 countries in production, processing and logistics cooperation of the cotton industry, Chinese Minister of Commerce Gao Hucheng said, speaking on the sidelines of the ongoing 9th Ministerial Conference (MC9) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) in Indonesia China will also increase assistance in infrastructures construction, production materials, technology training, research and transportation, as well as encourage the establishment of joint-ventures between Chinese and African companies, all of which will be carried out by the end of 2014.

Rwanda rolls out free wireless connectivity

New Truck introduced to Ghana

He, however, lamented that despite the efforts to improve the economy the statistics of unemployment was alarming, saying, “four million Nigerians enter labour market annually.

“In spite of the impressive macro economic performance, it did not translate into development as unemployment is still huge.

Patrick Ngowi,

A new truck, specially designed for the road conditions in the country, the Hino 300 series, has been launched in Tema.

Tanzanian Africa’s Best Young Entrepreneurs CEO, Helvetic Solar Contractors

It’s a scene any visitor would be surprised to see deep in central Africa: a tech-savvy consumer sitting in a restaurant and surfing a broadband connection with a smartphone, tablet and laptop.

“Equipped with a powerful engine to overcome the stress of road conditions in Ghana, the truck has flexibility of use, and comfort of ride for the driver,” Mr. Takahiko Tabayashi, Managing Director of Toyota Ghana Company Limitetd (TGCL), said at the launch.

“Ghana is under-going tremendous infrastructural transformation, which has increased economic activity.”

12 | THE PROMOTA

Elettra Pauletto, an analyst at Control Risks, said while Rwanda was scoring well on World Bank rankings due to low levels of corruption and positive attitudes towards foreign investment, it was still had some way to go.

“Rwanda has focused its efforts on improving World Bank scores, but is so far much weaker in its provision of follow-up once a business is set up,” she said. As for the IT sector, she said it was unlikely to become “a major factor in drawing international business interest in the short-term.”

Nine years ago, Patrick Ngowi, 28, received a small loan from his mother to start off a business. He started off selling Chinese mobile phones, but when he discovered that a tiny fraction of Tanzanians enjoyed any access to stable and reliable electricity, he knew he had to rectify that problem. Ngowi set up Helvetic Solar Contractors Limited, a company that is a pioneer in the supply, installation and maintenance of solar systems throughout the Northern Circuit of Tanzania. Helvetic Solar Contractors is the first company in the Northern Circuit to cater for Solar needs. The company did about $3 million in revenues last year.

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THE PROMOTA

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AFRICA: BUSINESS NEWS BRIEFS

Ngina Kenyatta

The First Woman

BILLIONAIRE

Airtel Money partners with Proflight Zambia

Bob Diamond

in East Africa

A

irtel Networks Zambia Plc, the leading telecommunications service provider in Zambia, and the country’s leading airline, Proflight Zambia, have signed a partnership agreement that will enable customers to purchase air tickets countrywide.

T

hough, she leads a quite life away from public glare, the widow of Kenya’s first president, Jomo Kenyatta has a lot of undeclared wealth, and runs several firms which are mostly not directly registered under her name ranging from farming, hospitality industry, banking, insurance, real estate, education among others.

Some of these include the Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), Heritage hotels, Brookside Dairies, Media Max and Timsales Timber. The 80-year-old woman has never revealed the origin of her investment funds but Ventures magazine estimates her net worth to be $1 billion.

Tanzanian enterprise leveraging entertainment for e-learning

T

anzanian social enterprise Ubongo will next month launch Ubongo Kids, an interactive cartoon which allows children to participate via SMS, on national television, while launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for further rollouts.

The African market for satellite services

T

he African market for satellite communications has experienced a feeding frenzy over the last few years as international players vie for the lion’s share of a market that is attracting massive interest from investors.

14 | THE PROMOTA

Airtel customers will be able to pay for their Proflight Zambia air tickets using their Airtel Money accounts.

returns to the City with launch of new Africa banking business anker ousted from Barclays floats £150m fund for venture in Africa, with Nigeria rumoured to be starting point for investment.

B

Ugandan coffee Union wins African award

As part of the deal, Diamond is teaming up with an African entrepreneur called Ashish Thakkar, the 32-year-old chief executive of Mara Group, a conglomerate with “technology, manufacturing, real estate and agriculture” interests in 19 African countries. It is anticipated that both men will sit on the new public company’s board.

T

New research shows mobile purchases fall in volume, gain in value

he National Union of Coffee Agribusinesses and Farm Enterprises (NUCAFE) has been recognised as the best farmer organisation in Africa by the Agricultural Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA). his was announced during the award ceremony organised by AGRA, Africa Growth Institute (AGI) and African Investment Climate Research (AFRICRES) in Accra Ghana last week.

T

The award came with a reward of Shs20 million according to NUCAFE chairperson Gerald Ssendaula who travelled to Accra together with NUCAFE executive director Joseph Nkandu to attend the ceremony.

NUCAFE emerged overall winner in the income diversity category.

M

EF has completed its third annual mobile consumer survey of 10,000 respondents, across 13 countries including various African countries, to gather insights in to mobile consumer behaviour.

Private Equity Africa reports in excess of $2billion in 2013 fund closings The industry publication for fund managers, investors and advisors says Improved LP sentiment for Africa beginning to translate to solid commitments

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Explore investment Opportunities in Uganda

Uganda-United Kingdom Trade & Investment Summit 2014

Key Sectors:  Agriculture  Tourism  ICT/IT  Private equity  Energy, petroleum & Oil  Education  Foods & Beverages  Mining  Leather  Metal & Metal Products  Iron&Steel  Financial Services  Pharmaceuticals  Transport  Communication  Manufacturing  Real Estate  Infrastructure

- Turning potential into opportunity 4th Uganda-UK Convention

Saturday, 13th September 2014 TIME: 09.30 - 19.00 At Troxy, 490 Commercial Rd, E1 0HX London United Kingdom WHY ATTEND:

 Meet over 200+ senior business leaders, policy-makers and thought-leaders to explore Uganda’s transition to a middle income country with our:

»

High-level mix of government representatives » High-level representatives of Ugandan private sector International business leaders

»  Access to the East African market and

opportunity to target a market of 138 million East Africans;  Update and expand your knowledge with a wealth of industry expertise drawn from the region’s best faculties; WHO SHOULD ATTEND:

A Fully Interactive Programme For 2014 1050 + Attendees

Expert Speakers InformationPacked Summit Day

 Private equity & institutional investors;  The banking community  Diaspora community;  Organisations involved in infrastructure development, including housing and commercial building, construction, urban regeneration, roads and bridges, information and communication technology, water supplies, power; generation, transmission and distribution;  Manufacturing and agribusiness companies involved in value addition;  Organisations looking to invest into developing hotels and tourism;  Representatives from key bilateral and multilateral donor agencies;

To exhibit call:

+44 7790 647 089 Book your ticket online at: www.ugandaconvention.eventbrite.co.uk THE

www.ugandanconventionuk.org | E: info@ugandanconventionuk.org “As with previous conventions and Conferences I have attended, the networking together with the

YOUR WINTER WARDROPE SORTED

For Him

D

F&D Forward

o you find it hard to keep up with the latest in men’s fashion? Yeah, me too. That’s one reason why research is key. I’ve looked into some of the biggest trends to hit men’s fashion this coming Winter and here’s what you have to look forward to. Here are some of my personal favorite trends to watch out for.

Brown Leather Chelsea Boots www.tkmaxx.com £59.99

Rectangular tortoise shell acetate frontal frame. Gold metal arms with tortoise shell temple tips and metallic designer logo. Brown lenses.

D R Harris Arlington Kit £130

Silver x-mini max duo portable speaker Compatible with smartphones, tablets and all your other multi-media devices. £45

Gucci John Lewis Hanging Sheared Fleece Robe, £50

Embossed Leather iPhone 5 Cover £120

Lanvin Oversized WoolBlend Coat £3,255

Rivieras Bem Mesh and Ca Can C aannva Slip-On Shoes Canvas ww www.mrporter.com

£50

The Spitalfields Shirt Co Vanishing Elephant Cream Suede Desert Boots www.tkmaxx.com

£34.99

16 | THE PROMOTA

Grey & White Striped Slim Fit Shirt www.tkmaxx.com £19.99

British Wool Rich Prince of Wales Checked Jacket with Cashmere www.marksandspencer.com

£299.00

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CK Man

Clarity

Jeff banks

100ml eau de toilette Calvin Klein Man is a woody and spicy fragrance for men. www.debenhams.com £24

Designer blue and silver square cufflinks £24

Gents luxury handcrafted 6mm 9ct 2 colour wedding band www.debenhams.com

£375

BLAMBI ASOS Slim Fit Blazer

K-PESCE Caps, Hats & Gloves www.store.diesel.com £ 40.00

in Wool £75.00

Belts £ 90.00

Leather Manbag www.marksandspencer.com

£75.00

The he eE El Elder lder der er Statesman Sta St S tta ate ttes essm e ma man an an

Bowers & Wilkins

Hand-Dyed H Ha an nd d-D Dye y d Pa P Palmalm lm-

P3 Foldable Headphones £170

Pattern P Pat Pa atte tter er ern e rn Cashmere Cash assh shmer me e e Sweater Sw weate wea ter e £1,370 £1, £1 £ 1,37 1, ,37 37 70 0

Rimowa Marc by Leather Oversized

Holdall www.marksandspencer.com £149.00

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Marc Jacobs Watch Rock Chronograph £329.00

Salsa Air Multiwheel he eel el 55cm Carry-on Case £355

Gucci Striped Wool and Silk-Blend Scarf £175

THE PROMOTA

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WINTER TREND HSGH SGHS

For Her

Long-Sleeved sweater www.shop.benetton.com £39.90

James Lakeland Print

Mix Belted Dress

Valentino

www.johnlewis.com £80

Valentino’s luxurious cotton and silk-blend coat was crafted in Italy. The elegant, feminine silhouette is the perfect canvas for the misty floral print. Wear this silklined style cinched at the waist for the most flattering fit.

£2,720

Katie Rowland Givenchy Embellished hagfish sandals

DKNY

www.givenchy.com £499.50 55% off

Stretch-wool twill coat www.dkny.com £252.12

Salome 18-karat gold-plated quartz ring www.katie-rowland.com £160 | 50% off

Scarf www.shop.benetton.com £17.00

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Sence Leather Trim Cuff www.grayandosbourn.co.uk

£53.00

Betty Barclay Padded Gilet, Bright Grey www.johnlewis.com £110

Sence Leather Trim Cuff

Betty Barclay

Stripe Jumper Black / Beige £90.00

Adele Marie Tangerine Dream Necklace £50.00

www.t www.thepromota.co.uk

Jason Wu Alexis leather and suede lace-up boots £370

Valentino Small lizard shoulder bag £894.89

Charlotte Olympia

Alaïa

Zelda suede and leather platform pumps www.charlotteolympia.com £310 | 60% off

Laser-cut leather tote Original price www.theoutnet.com £785

Valentino Cotton and silk-blend twill jacket www.net-a-porter.com Original price £2,605 Now £781.50

Orla Kiely Leather-trimmed printed coated canvas cosmetics case www.theoutnet.com £39.75

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Kenneth Jay Lane Gold-plated cubic zirconia earrings www.theoutnet.com £120

Juicy Couture Viv Viva V iv La Juicy 100ml EDP 10 £62 £6

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Success Principles

10

We Often Forget

Identify your problems but give your power and energy to solutions.

-Tony Robbins Sometimes we find ourselves running in place, struggling to get ahead simply because we forget to address some of the basic success principles that govern our potential to make progress. So here’s a quick reminder: You are the only person responsible for your success. The best part of your life will start on the day you decide your life is your own – no one to lean on, rely on, or blame.

You are in full control of your future.

Believe with all your heart that you will do what you were made to do. It may be tough at times, but refuse to follow some preordained path. Make your own rules and have your own game plan. There is no happiness and success to be found by playing it safe and settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living.

You don’t have to invent the wheel.

Actually, to be successful you don’t have to invent anything at all.

Coming up with a new invention or idea is one way to achieve massive success, but it isn’t necessary. And it can be the most challenging roads to success there is. You see many people have found lots of success just by taking something that already existed and simply putting their own twist on it (their unique selling proposition).

Think about Apple for instance. As Steve Jobs once said, “Good artists copy, great artist steal. Creativity is connecting things.” Connecting things means seeking inspiration from great ideas that already exist and adding your own useful twist.

There is no progress without action.

What is not started today is never finished tomorrow.

Some of the greatest ideas never made it. Why?

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Because the genius behind the idea failed to take action. Just remember, no action always results in a 100% failure rate. So get into action now, and begin to move in the right direction. Once you get started every step afterwards gets easier and easier.

Until eventually, what had once been invisible, starts to become visible, and what once felt unattainable, starts to become a reality.

Persistence always wins. As Winston Churchill once said, “Success is stumbling from failure to failure with no loss of enthusiasm.” It may take more than one swing to compose an efficient hit, so make sure not to give up on strike #1. And remember, a river cuts through rocks not because of its power at a given moment, but because of its persistence over time.

Focus is everything. When you are too busy looking behind and around you, people are passing you. If you never focus clearly on something, you will never be 100% efficient at anything. Multi-tasking might seem to make you efficient at getting multiple tasks done at once, but it usually reduces your efficiency in dealing with each individual task.

Failure is necessary. Don’t wake up at seventy-five years of age sighing over what you should have tried, but didn’t because you were afraid to fail. Just do it, and be willing to fail and learn along the way. Very few people get it right the first time. In fact, most people fail to get it right the first 5 times. If what you did today didn’t turn out as you hoped, tomorrow is a new opportunity to do it differently. Interpret each failure as a lesson on the road to success.

Positivity fuels productivity. Thoughts are like the steering wheel that moves our life in the right direction. Success comes from positive energy. You

can choose to get caught up in the negativity surrounding you, or you can decide to do something positive about your situation. You always have a choice. Remember, happiness is an element of success, and the happiest people don’t necessarily have the best of everything, they use positive energy to make the best of what they have.

You must believe you can. You must find the place inside yourself where anything is possible. It starts with a dream. Add confidence, and it becomes a belief. Add commitment, and it becomes a goal in sight. Add action, and it becomes a part of your life. Add determination and time, and your dream becomes a reality.

Helping others is a big part of being successful. Successful people constantly come up with new ideas, new projects, and new and innovative ways of helping others. This means that your aims and objectives just benefit you, but also help benefit others as well. Bottom line: Your long-term success is directly tied to how well you serve your community.

Success is a journey of countless baby steps. It’s a constant process of growth.

If you want to be successful, you must continue to hold yourself to a higher standard than anyone else, and strive to improve.

Oftentimes a person or organization will be successful, but then drop off. A person may become lazy, and an organization may succumb to weaknesses or competition. Sustained success means continually improving even if others may not see a need for it. Remember, the great thing in the world is not so much where we stand at any given time, as in what direction we are moving. by www.marcandangel.com

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MANDELA TRIBUTE

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Mandela

Forever

“ www.thepromota.co.uk

Death is something inevitable. When a man has done what he considers to be his duty to his people and his country, he can rest in peace. I believe I have made that effort and that is, therefore, why I will sleep for the eternity�.

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Timeline Of His Life

MANDELA TRIBUTE

»

July 18, 1918: Born Rolihlahla Mandela in a small village in the eastern Cape of South Africa.

» »

1944: Joins the African National Congress (ANC).

1948: South African government introduces the racial segregation policy of apartheid.

December 1952: Sentenced to nine months hard labour, suspended for two years, for civil disobedience campaign. Opens first black law firm with Oliver Tambo.

»

»

»

1956: Charged with high treason as part of a round-up of 156 activists.

1958: Divorces Evelyn Mase and marries social worker Winnie Madikizela.

»

» » » »

March 21, 1960: Sixty-nine black protesters killed during a demonstration at Sharpeville, in the Transvaal, provoking national uproar.

April 8, 1960: Government bans the ANC. March 29, 1961: Mr Mandela acquitted of treason at the culmination of four-year trial. He goes underground on the same day and is dubbed "The Black Pimpernel" by the media for his ability to evade the police.

April 1, 1961: Robben Island turns into a prison for political prisoners.

»

»

January 11, 1962: Using the name David Motsamayi, he leaves country and travels around Africa and to England to gain support for the "struggle".

» »

July, 1962: Returns to South Africa.

August 5, 1962: He is arrested for leaving the country without a passport and inciting workers to strike.

November 7, 1962: Mr Mandela is convicted and jailed for five years.

July, 1963: Police raid ANC secret hideout in Rivonia.

October, 1963: Joins 10 other activists on trial for sabotage in what becomes known as the Rivonia Trial.

April 20, 1964: Gives his famous Speech From The Dock during which he declares he is prepared to die for equality.

June 11, 1964: He is convicted, jailed for life with seven others and sent to Robben Island.

1969: Winnie Mandela is detained in solitary confinement at Pretoria Central Prison for 16 months under the Terrorism Act. June 16, 1976: Soweto uprising protests - as many as 20,000 students

» » »

» » » »

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»

demonstrate against the introduction of Afrikaans in the schoolroom. Up to 700 people are said to have died.

September 12, 1977: Anti-apartheid campaigner Steve Biko dies naked in Pretoria Central Prison after being tortured in police custody.

»

» » »

»

» » »

»

1980: Oliver Tambo, the president of the ANC, launches international campaign to release Mr Mandela.

10 February, 1985: Refuses President PW Botha's offer to release him if he renounces violence.

1985: Fellow Rivonia trialist Denis Goldberg is released from prison.

July 20, 1985: After protests against apartheid increase, President Botha declares a state of emergency in 36 districts.

» »

1991: Mr Mandela becomes president of the ANC. December 10, 1993: He and Mr de Klerk win the Nobel Peace Prize.

May 10, 1994: Mr Mandela is sworn in as South Africa's first democratically elected president as the head of the Government of National Unity.

1996: Divorces Winnie Mandela.

1998: Marries Graca Machel - former first lady of Mozambique.

»

»

»

» » »

June 1999: Steps down as president and Thabo Mbeki takes over after ANC wins elections.

October, 1985: British PM Margaret Thatcher agrees to impose limited Commonwealth trade sanctions on South Africa.

September 20, 1989: FW de Klerk replaces Mr Botha as president and in his first speech vows to end racism in South Africa.

December 13, 1989: Mr de Klerk meets Mr Mandela for the first time to discuss the future of South Africa. »

» » » »

» »

February 2, 1990: Mr de Klerk lifts the ban on the ANC. February 11, 1990: After 27 years in prison, Nelson Mandela walks free from Victor Verster Prison.

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»

July, 2001: Mr Mandela is diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoes treatment.

June 1, 2004: Announces retirement from public life.

January 6, 2005: Mr Mandela announces death of his son Makgatho from Aids.

June 27, 2008: Hyde Park concert in honour of Mr Mandela's 90th birthday.

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Timeline Of His Life

»

» » » » » » » » » » »

June 11, 2010: Great granddaughter Zenani is killed in a car crash.

January 26, 2011: Mr Mandela is admitted to hospital in Johannesburg where he is treated for a chest infection for two days.

June 21, 2011: Meets Michelle Obama at his home.

February 25, 2012: Is admitted to hospital for one night with abdominal pains.

December 8, 2012: Goes back to hospital - this time with a lung infection.

December 15, 2012: He has an operation to remove gallstones.

December 26, 2012: Mr Mandela is released from hospital but undergoes further treatment at home.

March 9, 2013: He is admitted for a scheduled overnight hospital check-up.

March 27, 2013: Returns to hospital with a recurrence e of his lung infection. President Jacob Zuma asks the world to "pray".

April 6, 2013: Is discharged from hospital.

June 8, 2013: Is admitted to hospital.

»

»

December 5, 2013: Mandela dies at age 95.

South African President Jacob Zuma makes the announcement at a news conference, saying "we've lost our greatest son."

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Nelson Mandela:

in his own words On his release from 27 years in prison, addressing crowds from the balcony of Cape Town’s City Hall on Sunday February 11, 1990

On his trademark African shirts, August 1995

“

“

Archbishop Tutu and I discussed this matter. He said to me: ‘Mr President, I think you are going well in everything except the way you dress.’ ‘Well,’ I said to the Archbishop, whom I respect very much, I said, ‘Well, let’s not enter a discussion where there can be no solution.“

On facing the death penalty, Mandela spoke from the dock at the culmination of the Rivonia Trial in April 1964

On a democratic future, in an address to the United Nations General Assembly, New York, September 1998

During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to see realised. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die. “

As I sit in Qunu and grow as ancient as its hills, I will continue to entertain the hope that there has emerged a cadre of leaders in my own country and region, on my Continent and in the world, which will not allow that any should be denied their freedom as we were, that any should be turned into refugees as we were, that any should be condemned to grow hungry as we were, that any should be stripped of their human dignity as we were.“

I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all.

I stand here before you not as a prophet but as a humble servant of you, the people. Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.”

“

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“

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TRIBUTE TO MANDELA

Mandela condolence

BARACK OBAMA

“A man who took history in his hands and bent the arc of the moral universe towards justice.”

OPRAH WINFREY

The popular form of condolence in the 21st century is Twitter, which was ablaze with tributes from wide range of celebrities, black and white, young and old from around the world.

DESMOND TUTU

“He transcended race and class in his personal actions, through his warmth and through his willingness to listen and to empathize with others. He taught us that to respect those with whom we are politically or socially or culturally at odds is not a sign of weakness, but a mark of self-respect.”

DENZEL WASHINGTON ”He was everything you’ve ever heard and more – humble and unscathed by bitterness.

One of the great honors of my life was to be invited to Nelson Mandela’s home, spend private time and get to know him”

BILL CLINTON

”I will never forget my friend Madiba.”

JENNIFER LOPEZ “It always seems impossible until it’s done.”

Rest in Peace Nelson Mandela. You will be missed.

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“honored and humbled to call Nelson Mandela a friend of our entire family”

BONO “Mandela played with the highest stakes. He put his family, his country, his time, his life on the line, and he won most of these contests.

Stubborn til the end for all the right reasons, it felt like he very nearly outstared his maker.

Today, finally, he blinked. And some of us cry, knowing our eyes were opened to so much because of him.”

TIGER WOODS “You will my heart

always be in Mr. Mandela.”

MISSY ELLIOTT #RIPNelsonMandela we can’t thank u enough for all the wisdom u have given to the world! A true Leader and loved by so many #rip

MIKE TYSON

SERENA WILLIAMS

I’m hearing about Nelson Mandela’s death while on African soil in Oran, Algeria.

Sending prayers to Mandela’s family.

Nelson Mandela led one if the most impactful lives of our time. Meeting him helped me to understand life is full of ups and downs......

DIDDYMandela stood for

BEYONCE

justice and truth!! Today the world lost a beautiful soul, fighter and true KING!!

IDRIS ELBA “What an honor it was to step into the shoes of Nelson Mandela and portray a man who defied odds, broke down barriers, and championed human rights before the eyes of the world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.”

QUINCY JONES “He was the embodiment of the spirit of ‘Ubuntu,’ which is the belief that the collective is always more important than the individual. As citizens of the world we should all aspire to that ideal, and all that Nelson Mandela’s life represented, taking comfort in the knowledge that in so doing we will always stand in the long shadow of his greatness.”

CHRISTIANE AMANPOUR Mandela kept the country together at a time when it very well could have spun into civil war.

Thank you for all you have sacrificed to improve the lives of other human beings. Rest in peace.

SAMUEL L. JACKSON Never met a better person in my life than Nelson Mandela.

My sympathy to his family & his country.

WHOOPI GOLDBERG I want 2give the world a hug I was told Mandeba just passed. Nelson Mandela R.I.P. Time for a well-earned sleep.

Condolences to his family.

BILL GATES Every time Melinda and I met Nelson Mandela, we left more inspired than ever. His grace and courage changed the world. This is a sad day.

JAMIE FOXX Thank you for your mark you left on humanity Mr. Mandela.

Prayers to his family, friends and the people of South Africa.

VICTORIA BECKHAM Your inspiring spirit will live forever. RIP Nelson Mandela

MARLON WAYANS RIP NELSON MANDELA... It will take a world of people to grab the baton that you ran with to continue your tradition... May we all grab hold

RIHANNA #NelsonMandela you made your people proud!!

We’ll always love you for it!

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MANDELA CONDOLENCES

Pope Francis Condolences On Nelson Mandela

“

It was with sadness that I learned of the death of former President Nelson Mandela, and I send prayerful condolences to all the Mandela family, to the members of the Government and to all the people of South Africa. In commending the soul of the deceased to the infinite mercy of Almighty God, I ask the Lord to console and strengthen all who mourn his loss. Paying tribute to the steadfast commitment

shown by Nelson Mandela in promoting the human dignity of all the nation’s citizens and in forging a new South Africa built on the firm foundations of nonviolence, reconciliation and truth, I pray that the late President’s example will inspire generations of South Africans to put justice and the common good at the forefront of their political aspirations.

With these sentiments, I invoke upon all the people of South Africa divine gifts of peace and prosperity.”

Nelson Mandela death: QUEEN leads tributes The Queen said the former South African president "worked tirelessly" for the good of his country, adding that his legacy is "the peaceful South Africa we see today".

The Queen has led the UK in sending her “sincere condolences” to the family of Nelson Mandela and to the people of South Africa. www.thepromota.co.uk

A statement from Buckingham Palace said: "Her Majesty remembers with great warmth her meetings with Mr Mandela".

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MANDELA MEMORIAL

TOP 10 MOMENTS FROM BARACK OBAMA'S SPEECH during Mandela’s memorial ceremony legacy of racial reconciliation, but passionately resist even modest reforms that would challenge chronic poverty and growing inequality.

1. Nelson Mandela reminds us that it always seems impossible until it is done. South Africa shows us that is true. South Africa shows us we can change. We can choose to live in a world defined not by our differences, but by our common hopes. We can choose a world defined not by conflict, but by peace and justice and opportunity.

2. We cannot allow our progress to cloud the fact that our work is not done. […] For around the world today, we still see children suffering from hunger, and disease; run-down schools, and few prospects for the future. Around the world today, men and women are still imprisoned for their political beliefs; and are still persecuted for what they look like, or how they worship, or who they love.

3. We, too, must act on justice; we, too, must act of peace. There are too us who happily embrace

30 | THE PROMOTA

behalf of on behalf many of Madiba’s

4. Mandela showed us the power of action; of taking risks on behalf of our ideals. […] "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination," he said at his 1964 trial. "I’ve cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

5. Mandela taught us the power of action, but also ideas: the importance of reason and arguments; the need to study not only those you agree with, but those who you don’t.

He understood that ideas cannot be contained by prison walls, or extinguished by a sniper’s bullet.

6. It is tempting then to remember Nelson Mandela as an icon, smiling and serene, detached from the tawdry affairs of lesser men. But Madiba himself strongly resisted such a lifeless portrait. Instead, he insisted on sharing with us his doubts and fears; his miscalculations along with his victories. "I'm not a saint," he said, "unless you think of a saint as a sinner who keeps on trying."

of life – the world thanks you for sharing Nelson Mandela with us.

His struggle was your struggle. His triumph was your triumph. Your dignity and hope found expression in his life, and your freedom, your democracy is his cherished legacy.

8. It took a man like Madiba to free not just the prisoner, but the jailor as well; to show that you must trust others so that they may trust you; to teach that reconciliation is not a matter of ignoring a cruel past, but a means of confronting it with inclusion, generosity and truth. He changed laws, but also hearts.

9. While I will always fall short of Madiba’s example, he makes me want to be better. He speaks to what is best inside us. After this great liberator is laid to rest; when we have returned to our cities and villages, and rejoined our daily routines, let us search then for his strength – for his largeness of spirit – somewhere inside ourselves.

10. And when the night grows dark, when injustice weighs heavy on our hearts, or our best laid plans seem beyond our reach – think of Madiba, and the words that brought him comfort within the four walls of a cell: It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate:

7. To the people of South Africa – people of every race and walk

I am the captain of my soul.

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Lotus Evora’ Evora ’ S Sports Racer W

hen you think of Formula 1 racing, heritage and Champions, there is one British name that tends to come to mind. This particular company comes from a small town in England called Norfolk. In the 60’s and 70’s when Grand Prix racing was a life threatening sport this team could be seen battling it out on circuits such as Spa Francorchamps, Zandvoort and the Hockenheimring for the world championships. If ever there was a David vs Goliaths scenario this was it. Larger Teams from europe with a considerable workforces and comfortable finances against a small home run firm with a handful of staff on a very tight budget. Time and time again those British racing green

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cars in the 60’s then Black and Gold cars in the 70’s would be first to the Chequered flag taking numerous World championships from 1963 to 1978. Their secret was a combination of innovation, risk and determination, all led by the late Colin Chapman. Now, over forty years later and after some difficult times Lotus is having a resurgence not only in Formlua 1 but also with its road cars. Victorious in the first race of the season (Australia) the British firm from Norfolk have risen to the challenge and produced The Lotus Evora S Sports Racer. Originally launched in 2009 Lotus have made over 150 changes to this car concentrating on quality for their customers inside and out. >

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k

t

k

CAR REVIEW BA’s Lifting on-board Mobile Phone Restrictions From July 1st, you’ll be able to make calls from your phone just after the wheels touch tarmac on British Airways flights. The airline is the first in Europe to lift bans on powered-up electronics, allowing you to use your gadgets the moment the plane has landed and trundled off the runway.

BT’s Full-Bore 300Mbps Fibre Will Only Cost £50 a Month What you get for a little under £67000 is a fully loaded, spectacular looking premium sports car, with performance to match.

It comes in either naturally aspirated or supercharged S versions, (the latter being the one to choose) and four new colours, Aspen White, Carbon Grey, Nightfall Blue and Ardent Red all highlighted by tastefully placed black trim. Extras also include a Sports pack (sharper throttle response for track days), a Tech pack (Upgraded stereo, multifunction USB connection and tyre pressure monitors) and an upgraded suede interior courtesy of a Premium Sport Pack.)

The Evora is really very comfortable inside but you never forget that you are in a true Sports car in every sense of the word.

Your seated slightly offset and the cabin is simple but functional.

Dials are easy to read and controls adjust quite well but it doesn’t really have that familiar solid “German” feel to it. However, all becomes apparent when you fire up the 345bhp V6 Supercharged engine and set off. The ride is simply exquisite, excellent steering and great acceleration on track and on real roads very user friendly. You realise that you are now driving a car which has had years of F1 experience designed into it and you are now www.thepromota.co.uk

putting all this to the test. A test which any real driver would agree to this car passing with flying colours. This is what Lotus stands for and it has raised the bar quite significantly with this model in all departments. However, by doing that it brings it directly into the firing line of those offerings from Stuttgart and Munich. No doubt the Evora S Sports racer is going to have some tough challenges ahead, but if you want a truly affordable supercar which will make you smile every time you look at it knowing that you have a real Formula 1 background then you need to look no further.

It’s very interesting to note that, in 2011 the Carabinieri in Rome, were looking to promote the city and themselves with an exceptional car which represented style, speed and head turning ability.

The city was offered a variety of vehicles and it was expected that they would chose something home made. Guess what the Italians chose?…..A Lotus Evora!

Specifications Lotus Evora S Sports Racer Price £66,850 0-60 mph 4.6 secs Top speed 172mph Economy 29.3mpg (combined), CO2 229g/km, Kerb weight 1463kg, Engine V6 3456cc, supercharged, petrol. Power 345bhp at 7000rpm. Torque 295lb ft at 4500rpm.

Gearbox 6 speed manual.

by Dr Charan Naidoo

We’ve heard many times before that BT’s been testing its stonkingly quick 300Mbps fibre, but now we have a price and a rough timeframe. 300Mbps can be yours for just £50 a month (plus line rental, of course) from later this year. No traffic shaping, no limits, just absolutely blazing broadband.

The catch? You have to have fibre plumbed into your home. That means full fibre to the premises, aka FTTP or FTTH, and right now only 50 of BT’s exchanges currently support it.

Get the Cool New Google Maps 7 On Your Android Right Now There’s a great-looking new update for Google Maps rolling out right now for Android 4.0.3 and up. It takes everything that was new and improved on the desktop and throws it on the phone. Finally, Android Google Maps has caught up with iPhone Google maps, and there’s no reason to wait.

New Plasma Device Considered The Holy Grail Of Energy Generation And Storage

University of Missouri’s College of Engineering, developed a device that launches a ring of plasma at distances of up to two feet. Although the plasma reaches a temperature hotter than the surface of the sun, it doesn’t emit radiation and is completely safe in proximity to humans. While most of us are familiar with three states of matter — liquid, gas and solid — there is also a fourth state known as plasma, which includes things such as fire and lightning. Life on Earth depends on the energy emitted by plasma produced during fusion reactions within the sun.

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WILD LIFE

CjhDbut!

OF AFRICA The cat, regarded by some as an animal that nature had made perfect from the outset, has undergone only the subtlest of changes, in evolutionary terms, over the last 30-odd million years.

It is Africa’s three great cats, the Lion, Cheetah and Leopard that inspire the most passionate legends the world over. Each of these cats is an icon in their own right.

The Power and Majesty of the LION

O

ften called, “King of the Beasts”, the lion has an iconic reputation as a cat of great strength and beauty. The largest of Africa’s big cats, its regal legacy is enhanced by the male’s magnificent mane, which ranges from a rich golden colour to a darker brown hue as the animal ages.

Of course, the dominant male lion seldom does its own hunting, pre-

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ferring instead to allow the females and adolescent males of the pride do the hard work before coming along and claiming its share of the kill. Weighing in at well over 200 kg in the wild, and standing at up to 2 metres at the shoulder, this huge animal cuts a formidable figure.

The most socially co-operative of all the big cats, their real strength lies in their ability to work together as a pride, using group hunting tac-

tics to make the kill.

While they are primarily nocturnal, they are easily found during the day, conserving energy and resting in shady areas. The unwary tourist, enjoying the sight of these listless and “tame” animals while out on a safari game drive, would be well advised to note that lions are quick to become active if ever an easy meal opportunity may present itself.

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THE CHEETAH

The Ruthless Efficiency of the Lone-Hunting

a Symbol of Speed and Grace

R

enowned as the fastest animal on land, the cheetah has a slender body, long legs and semi-retractable claws, with a short, coarse coat dotted with small, round, black spots.

It stands with a shoulder height of about 70cm, has a body length of 112-135 cm, a tail length 66-84 cm and weighs in around 34-54 kg, with males being slightly larger than females.

Far more slightly built that either the lion or the leopard, its strategic hunting advantage is its well-known ability to accelerate to incredible

LEOPARD

speeds over short distances. While not particularly adept at covering long distances, it can reach its maximum speed of around 110km/h (70mph) in mere seconds. Using careful stalking techniques, it tracks prey and approaches to within 20 -30 metres before unleashing its pace weapon, leading to successful kills in about 50% of chases.

Decline in prey, loss of habitat, poaching, and its reputation as a livestock predator threaten the survival of the cheetah throughout its range.

BIG CATS FACTS  The cheetah is the world’s fastest land mammal. It can run at speeds of up

to 70 miles an hour (113 kilometers an hour).  An adult lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles (eight kilometers) away.  Long, muscular hind legs enable snow leopards to leap seven times their

own body length in a single bound.  A tiger’s stripes are like fingerprints—no two animals have the same pattern.  The strongest climber among the big cats, a leopard can carry prey twice its

weight up a tree.  The Amur leopard is one of the most endangered animals in the world.  In one stride, a cheetah can cover 23 to 26 feet (7 to 8 meters).  The name “jaguar” comes from a Native American word meaning “he who

kills with one leap.”  In the wild, lions live for an average of 12 years and up to 16 years. They live           

up to 25 years in captivity.

The mountain lion and the cheetah share an ancestor.

Cheetahs do not roar, as the other big cats do. Instead, they purr.

Tigers are excellent swimmers and do not avoid water.

A female Amur leopard gives birth to one to four cubs in each litter.

Fossil records from two million years ago show evidence of jaguars.

Lions are the only cats that live in groups, called prides. Every female within the pride is usually related.

The leopard is the most widespread of all big cats.

Mountain lions are strong jumpers, thanks to muscular hind legs that are longer than their front legs.

Tigers have been hunted for their skin, bones, and other body parts, used in traditional Chinese medicine.

Unlike other cats, lions have a tuft of hair at the end of their tails.

After humans, mountain lions have the largest range of any mammal in the Western Hemisphere.

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L

eopards, sometimes called the “quintessential cat” are the most elusive of the three big cats of Africa. Standing at around 80cm at the shoulder, and weighing between 40 and 70kg, these cats are more powerful but slower than cheetahs, and substantially smaller than lions.

Solitary hunters, leopards seek company only to mate, and are constantly in danger of losing their kill to lions. For this reason, they use their supreme climbing ability to drag their prey into trees for safekeeping.

While the more substantial kills are cached in this way, with the cat returning later to feed, leopards are opportunistic animals with an extremely flexible diet. They are happy to consume protein in almost any form, from beetles to animals almost twice its own weight and will readily eat carrion.

To observe these big cats in their natural habitat is a privilege not to be missed.

Reading about them, or seeing them on TV often gives an interesting insight into their lives, but getting up close to these magnificent beasts when on a game drive, will leave you inspired.

Published at: http://www.isnare.com

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BUSINESS TIPS

Practical tips for success in Africa Mark Tunmer, CEO of financial services group Imara Holdings, tells us the secrets to the company's success.

The BSE-listed company has a wide footprint in Africa.

By Nelly Nyagah, Frontier Market Network

W

hat factors are driving the growth of your company at home and on the conti-

nent?

Our growth as a financial services group rooted in Africa is underpinned by a range of positive developments, including the growth rates achieved by many economies in sub-Saharan Africa, often above 5% a year, growing liberalisation of most economies, the growth of the middle class, growing disposable incomes, growing demand for consumer goods and financial services, growing liquidity on some markets, growing share values, and the development of African institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies and asset management firms. Another factor is growing awareness among ordinary Africans that provision has to be made for the future through savings, pension funds and other wealth-building instruments such as shares.

Growth can be quite dramatic.

For example, in the year up to our

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fifth annual investor conference in Zimbabwe in early June the market capitalisation of Delta, Zimbabwe’s biggest brewer, rose from US$836million to US$1.7-billion. Over the same period, the market capitalisation of the Econet telecoms group was up from US$677-million to US$1.1-billion. In the same period, the Zimbabwe Stock Exchange has registered gains of 39% in US dollars.

Gains of that magnitude indicate growing participation by equity investors in African listed companies and explain growing international investor interest in our markets.

Rates of growth and levels of sophistication vary tremendously across Africa. The South African and Zimbabwean stock exchanges have been in place for over 100 years while a stock market has only recently opened in Rwanda. Varying levels of development obviously affect the rate of growth of our own business and the prospects in individual markets.

What problems did you overcome to find success that you are enjoying in other African markets?

The fundamental challenge relates

to education. At an individual level, it takes time to develop a proper understanding of the need to save and invest. Our offices in all markets engage in on-going shareholder education and commit to constant communication. At a corporate level, you do also confront a similar educational challenge. For a financial services business like Imara to grow, we need instruments in which to trade, meaning market liquidity has to grow.

For this to happen, more private companies need to list on the stock exchanges. However, family owners traditionally grow their businesses out of their own cash flow or borrow money from a bank. The alternative is to issue equity or raise cheaper long-term finance. This in turn means a commitment to transparency and full reporting to shareholders or new partners. This involves a seismic shift in the mindset of owners who might have held total control of their businesses for generations. It is a slow process.

Patience is required. Education takes time.

Where do you see future growth for your company coming from, and how do you intend to leverage on these opportunities?

There are specific opportunities relating to developments in certain markets, for instance, the plan to open a stock market in Angola and, hopefully, the opening up of opportunities in financial services in Ethiopia. But, the strategic opportunity for future growth relates to macro-developments such as the realisation in many of the world’s financial centres that Africa represents the last great opportunity, from a low base, to achieve sizeable growth for decades to come. This realisation will tend to support the growth in foreign

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direct investment and in portfolio investment.

Clearly, oil and gas discoveries in East Africa and other parts of the continent will have sizeable impact, but we also see potential for substantial growth in the non-oil economy across sub-Saharan Africa. The growth of the African middle class will deliver knock-on benefits across the financial services industry as families save, contribute to pension funds or drive the continued growth of listed companies through growing demand for consumer goods and services.

We see this as a 20-year journey. Being well placed on the ground across Africa will enable Imara to identify opportunities at an early date and then offer appropriate solutions.

that has put us ahead of our foreign competitors is our presence on the ground. Every Imara professional, with only two exceptions, lives and works in Africa. Imara has direct representation in eight African countries and has strong links in another two through enduring relationships with local partners. Our researchers do not depend solely on desktop research.

They take a bottom-up approach and speak regularly to the executives of African listed and unlisted companies.

They visit factories, speak to the local banks and have firsthand knowledge of the markets they study. This level of understanding and our direct, local representation bestow a sizeable advantage versus foreign competitors.

What do you look for when deciding which countries/ markets to enter?

The criteria we use to decide which countries to enter differs from case to case. However, there are some common themes such as political stability and some evidence that government has launched programs to liberalise the economy or has made a firm statement of intent to begin the process of reform.

We also scrutinise the regulatory and legal framework within which we are expected to work. A key factor is the presence on the ground of good potential partners. The search for credible partners may take two to three years. We are firm believers in the need for deep understanding of local conditions and will not enter a market unless we have a strong local partner.

What tips would you have for companies that are interested in the African market?

The need for patience cannot be stressed enough. Coming in as a total outsider can be challenging. Invest time in finding the right local partner.

You can’t achieve success from afar. A foreign investor looking to make a success of their investment should visit Africa, take time out to visit companies, speak to executives and local professionals and build a personal understanding of specific markets. Personal relationships count for a lot in Africa. You need to look people in the eye and make personal assessments for yourself.

Once you have developed better market understanding, commit to the long haul. Africa has boundless potential, but it will take time.

How do you compete and interact with foreign companies in Africa?

Our competitive advantage

IMARA is an investment banking and asset management group that operates in Angola, Botswana, South Africa and the UK.

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The winners of the East Africa Agribusiness Awards 2013

that took place at a Gala dinner during the East Africa Agribusiness Investment Summit in Kampala, Uganda.

Organised by Focus Uganda

Hon. Gerald Ssendawula, Chairman Nucafe giving his acceptance speech

Edward Katende CEO, Foucs Uganda

Root capital winner of Agriculture Finance Initiative of the Year

A representative of Elgon Kenya Limited receiving the Best Initiative in Support of SMEs Award THE PROMOTA

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INTERVIEW

Dangote Group president and CEO Aliko Dangote within the Economic Community Of West African States.

T

he Dangote Group is one of the most diversified business conglomerates in Africa. The group’s activities encompass cement manufacturing, sugar and salt refining, flour and semolina milling, pasta and noodle manufacturing, poly products manufacturing, port management and haulage logistics, real estate and the Dangote Foundation.

How confident are you about growth prospects going forward, in Nigeria and sub-Saharan Africa?

Our business strategy has really paid off. The year 2012 was particularly good for us in terms of our record of excellent performance. In 2012, we launched a number of projects, including a fertiliser plant and an oil refinery. These are big-ticket projects.

We are also looking at establishing more cement plants and expanding our sugar business in line with the new federal government backward integration policy.

Our business strategy has been to look at the country’s imports and invest in critical areas of need. By so doing, we have helped to make Nigeria self sufficient in some commodities such as cement, and also a net exporter of these products, specifically

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There are a lot of investment opportunities in Nigeria and Africa. Discerning investors know this and are trooping in to have a piece of the pie.

The only thing keeping others back is the issue of the negative perception that some people have about the continent. But things are changing fast.

Africa is one of the fastest growing regions in the world. The return on investment in Africa is also one of the highest.

So, the potential for growth is there.

We need to transform this potential into reality. In addition, you have to be innovative in this market. If you bring a textbook solution and try to apply it here, it won’t work. To tell you the truth, the best market today is sub-Saharan Africa and I have not seen any country where you can make money like in Nigeria and I say it to anyone who cares to listen. The opportunities here are so tremendous.

How do you balance growth trajectories with profitability?

We are currently diversifying our business. Some businesses will have greater or lesser profitability, depending on the industry. In petrochemicals or refining, for instance, the refining margin is low, perhaps no more than 10%-12%, but what we are doing is not just refining, we are also extracting a lot of high-value items out of the import pool. That requires a huge investment.

For example, today, I don’t control all of the costs in my sugar business because I don’t grow my own sugar.

I only add value. If the cost of raw sugar goes up too high, I can’t make much money, but if it falls, I can

make more money. By producing sugar, you end up with excess capacity. When you crush the byproduct, you end up with a shell which can power high-pressure boilers to produce power, which you can pass through the national grid. You produce ethanol which you can mix with diesel for fuel and other byproducts can be used for animal feed. So there is no waste and it is about value distribution and putting things back into the economy, including employment.

What are some of the risks to growth that worry you?

The biggest issue that we have that really worries me is the lack of infrastructure. Our leaders are beginning to understand this. Without infrastructure, no one will come to your country to invest.

I also have a phobia about debt. The way we operate the company is this: we take on debt and we go through our trajectory to deliver what we promised to deliver. We accumulate cash and after two years or so we have more money to invest. Once you do your numbers right and know what you are doing, everything falls into place.

There is risk in anything. What you need to do is make sure that you minimise those risks and that they are calculated risks.

Corruption and oil theft in Nigeria are two other areas that I am more worried about. When you create jobs and people have disposable income, there is less restlessness, particularly among the youth. It is very simple.

We have abundant resources, but we need the right attitude to get there.

This interview was published as part of PwC’s The Africa Business Agenda 2013 report.

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COMMUNITY EVENTS

The Aga Khan - Ismaili Centre commemorating 40 years of

Ugandan Asians held a reception at Ismaili Centre on 2 July 2013 to commemorating the 40th anniversary of the settlement in the UK of the Asian communities from Uganda. One of the objectives of the event was to promote sotronger ties between Ugandan Asians and their former country. A number of Asians who settled in the Uk have built successful businesses and want to tap into vast opportunities available from their mother country.

Uganda Asians settlement in the UK. Joel Kibazo was the keynote speaker highlighting were Uganda has been and the current economic and political sitatuioin in Uganda.

Jaffer Kapasi, OBE

Amin Tejani, MD of LPC Group PLC

George Jatania

Praful Patel Director, PUJA Corporation Ltd

Co-Chairman Sun Global Investment

Liakat Hasham MD, Chd living

Mr. Mutenza

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C Amb. Isaac Sebulime

Rev. D. Kajumba

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THE PROMOTA

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OPINION

Atheism: Why the UK is losing its religion

Atheism in the UK has reached record levels, so why are people losing faith?

You wouldn’t believe it… but having no religious affiliation is now world’s third biggest ‘faith’ after Christianity and Islam •

•

“Only church leaders possess states without defending them and subjects without governing them.” So said Renaissance philosopher Niccolò Machiavelli in his historical treatise The Prince. Religion, he suggests, is a political necessity, the tool of a ruling class unable to rationally legitimise the massive social inequality of feudal society.

Whilst such a system might seem positively medieval to us now, in the age of the 1 and the 99% and lease-only housing in the capital, it seems that the legacy of ye olde, aristocratic Britannia might not be so remote. Religious states still exist also – Saudi ‘women can’t drive’ Arabia, for instance – and ‘secular’ Britain must count itself as one of only two sovereign states in the world to theocratically maintain the presence of unelected bishops within their political system (the House of Lords). The other is Iran.

But the times they are a-changing, and if the world wars of the 20th century began to erode religious faith in the west, then the

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Christianity is the largest faith with 2.2 billion adherents or 31.5 per cent of the world’s population There are about 1.6 billion Muslims around the world - or 23 per cent of the global population

proliferation of the world wide web has only exacerbated that process.

“Religions have depended on the relative isolation and ignorance of their flocks, forever, and this is all breaking down,” asserts Daniel C. Dennett, the co-director of Tufts’ Centre for Cognitive Studies.

Dennett’s theory is certainly lent support by a recent YouGov poll, which found that “the place of religion in the lives of young Britons is smaller than ever.” Asked

by YouGov which figures had any influence whatsoever on their lives, only 12% of British 18-24 year olds said religious leaders influenced them, less than half the number influenced by brands (32%) and politicians (38%), and significantly lower than those influenced by celebrities (21%).

So why are we losing our religion?

The global economic collapse certainly seems to have triggered a collective loss of faith in figures of authority in every sector of society, and the process of globalization also sped up the process of ‘atheisisation’.

Perhaps we have also reached saturation point with regard to the scale and number of sectarian civil wars, religiously sanctioned, if not encouraged, violence and politicoreligious corruption. Atheism UK President Mark Embleton shares this view. Asked why increasing numbers of young people are claiming atheism, he answers: “Because they’ve thought about it.

There’s much more information available through the internet now than there was for older generations, so young people can easily access opinions for and against religion.

Also, the more recent publicity and reporting of such things as child abuse by clergy, Islamic terrorism, religious resistance to equality for women or homosexuals, etc., has turned many people away from religion, not just young people.”

Embleton says he became an “active” atheist when he received jural disapproval for taking the affirmation in the witness box, rather than swearing on the Bible (yes, that is still a British practice).

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A Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin’s second-Africa Fashion Day

FASHION & BEAUTY

I

n 2013, in the frame of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Berlin the second Africa Fashion Day Berlin was presented. The Runway Show was overbooked and over 800 people were present. The opening of the show was held by Berlin Choreographer with an incredible music set by Dj. Bamba Nazar from Amsterdam. The catwalk was full of emotions and models from all kind of nationalities were highlighting the show. One guest commented: “Apart from the expected vibrancy of some collections, the innovations and quality of designs impressed me. I did not realise the diversity within African Fashion."

Africa Fashion Day Berlin patroness Mrs. Dr. Auma Obama (Sister of Barack Obama) mentioned: “Africa is increasingly seen as a continent with complex cultures and traditions which not only generate unique and distinct talents but also offer new perspectives to well-known European topics. In many ways, Africa can and must be regarded as an equal partner in the creative sector by now. Africa Fashion Day Berlin is an excellent example for this development. It is perfectly suited to demonstrate Africa’s growing self- awareness and presence on the world stage”.

The Africa Fashion Day introduced 4 passionate Designers from Jamaika/Romero Bryan, Ruanda/ Annerose, Muyombano Jewelery, Angola/ Nadir Tati and Cameroun/ Arrey Kono to the German Fashion Scene.

For further informations please contact us: info@africafashiondayberlin.com Follow us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Africa-Fashion-Day-Berlin/420367461339998 website: www.africafashiondayberlin.com

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Kente Blazer

ÂŁ45.00 Eighteen Forever Website: www.eighteenforever.co.uk Blog: www.eighteenf.blogspot.co.uk Email: eighteenf@gmail.com Twitter: @EIGHTEENF Facebook: Eighteen Forever LookSoup: Eighteen Forever LinkedIn: Eighteen Forever

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HSGH SGHS

I

Get Your Perfect Lashes – 5 Tricks

f you always thought that it is only up to Mother Nature who gets impressive eyelashes, think again. It does not even require so much effort: with the right products, some skills, and some time, you can have that astonishing look you have always dreamed about. Follow several tips and see your lashes boom!

Good old lip balm trick

People say that lip balm can do miracles to your eyelashes, if applied regularly. All you need to do is not to forget to remove your make-up and then brush your lashes gently against the balm until they are covered with a pretty thick layer of it. Do this, before you go to sleep and use a sleeping mask for the night to make the lip balm stay. In the morning, do not forget to wash it out. For a greater effect, you can also apply some olive oil or castor oil onto your lashes during day time. These two techniques might take some time to produce results but they www.thepromota.co.uk

definitely work in the longer term.

Curl them up If you have not used it before, consider getting an eyelash curler.

Use it before applying mascara, since otherwise you can damage your lashes pretty hard. Also, if you squeeze it hard enough every time, your lashes will start growing upwards, so it is an effort definitely worth putting to get the look you want to have. Even if your mascara does not have a curling effect, you can easily get such a look just by using a curler.

A healthy diet for stunning eyelashes The principle of how your eyelashes grow is similar to the one how your hair grows. Thus, a balanced diet with plenty of vitamins A and D can produce some incredible effects, yet it may take around three months for them to become visible. So, your desire to have stunning eyelashes can in fact also serve as a motivating factor to improve your diet and lead a healthier life.

Mascara and other tricks In addition to the useful tips already described, cosmetics are always an easy shortcut to impress

people with your look. First, choose your mascara carefully.

Do not necessarily go for the ones that promise a whole kit of effects –longer, thicker, curlier, etc. – but instead choose one that promises one or two effects that your eyelashes could really use. In case your new mascara does not satisfy you as much as your old one, just keep the brush of the previous one and use it instead, it will save you a great deal of frustration. For special occasions, try artificial lashes. There is a great variety of them that could be used from important photo shoots to, for instance, Halloween. Experiment until you discover your own look, yet without using them too often as it can damage your eyelid skin in the long term.

Ready, Steady, Impress!

All you need to do to get perfect lashes is to equip yourself with knowledge and patience. Improve your diet, use natural products as well as cosmetics, and see your eyelashes get longer, thicker, and just astonishing. Invest in your look and see that attention skyrocketing! by beauty expert Anita, who is also a professional writer for Higherclick.com, writing on behalf of Macys.com.

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Feather Neckpiece: Anita Quansah London Bamboo Neckpiece: Nkwo - www.nkwo.co.uk Dress: Eki Orleans- www.ekiorleans.com Toe wrap : Nkwo - www.nkwo.co.uk

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Creative Team Photographer :Reze Bonna Stylist : Crystal Deroche Assistant Stylist : Adesewa Awoyale Adeola MUA : Nory Model: Emy Ozori

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FASHION & BEAUTY

Creative Team Photographer :Reze Bonna Stylist : Crystal Deroche Assistant Stylist : Adesewa Awoyale Adeola MUA : Nory Model: Emy Ozori

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Necklace used as headpiece: Anita Quansah London - www.anitaquansahlondon.com Necklece : Younique - www.amberfever.com Caltan: Eki Orleans - www.ekiorleans.com Toe wrap : Nkwo - www.nkwo.co.uk

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Is good governance always a prerequisite for investment in Africa?

economist Ha-Joon Chang. “The problem with these indices is that they are built on a particular theory of what is good for investment and growth (basically the view that the closer an economy is to the idealised version of the Anglo-American economy, the more investment there will be), which is not a very good theory,” he argues.

“Measuring attractiveness on the basis of governance rankings success, a country like Rwanda should be a veritable magnet for foreign capital, while Nigeria should be the reverse.”

This article is not intended to question the role of governance in development. On the contrary, it assumes that improvements in the rule of law, pluralism, democratic participation and other indicators are indispensable components of successful economic and social development.

Yet the equation is not so simple when it comes to the commonly held assumption that improvements in governance are a prerequisite for countries in Africa to attract foreign investment. Rankings that measure the ease of doing business, corruption and political stability are routinely cited as key metrics in this regard.

At the top of the list are indicators such as the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking, Transparency International’s Corruption Perception Index and the Ibrahim Index of African governance.

The guiding principle? The easier you make it for the investor, the better.

Many countries feel pressured to perform well on such indicators, regardless of how they relate to national development priorities. In some cas-

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es, this leads to policies so geared towards the assumed desire of investors that the country’s interest barely registers.

Measuring attractiveness on the basis of governance rankings success, a country like Rwanda should be a veritable magnet for foreign capital, while Nigeria should be the reverse.

In 2010 the former was the top reforming country globally in the World Bank’s ranking, and placed 45th in the 2012 tables, ahead of Brazil, China and India. Rwanda also placed 25th on the 2011 Ibrahim Index and 49th on the 2011 CPI. Nigeria’s performance in each of the indicators was far less impressive: 133rd, 41st and 143rd respectively.

Yet Nigeria routinely trumps Rwanda on the list of preferred target markets cited by international investors. A recent survey of investor sentiment on Africa carried out by Invest AD and the EIU found that more than 51 percent of respondents identified Nigeria as the market offering the best overall prospects for investment returns over the next three years. Just 6 percent picked Rwanda.

That is in part because of Nigeria’s natural resource wealth and the sheer size of its market, but there is something more at play. The reason is simple enough, says Cambridge

In his latest book, 23 Things They Don’t Tell You About Capitalism, he notes that South Korea required up to 299 permits to open a factory in the 1990s. Yet then, as now, it attracted high levels of foreign capital.

“Strange as it may seem... businesspeople will get 299 permits...if there is enough money to be made at the end of the process,” he writes. “If there is little money to be made... even 29 permits may look too onerous.”

Nigeria attracts the interest it does because investors make a calculated decision that its notoriously difficult business environment is worth navigating because of the potential return its 160 million person market offers. This is not to say that countries should not make an effort to improve business and policy environments. If anything, Nigeria attracts interest despite its operating environment, rather than due to any conscious effort to define terms of engagement beneficial to its long-term development.

Many African countries, regardless of their size, have compelling investment opportunities to offer. Identifying and pricing these appropriately by balancing investor expectations with a country’s development priorities is the challenge. As Africa attracts more foreign capital, it is a challenge countries should not shy away from.

by By Lanre Akinola http://www.thisisafricaonline.com

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Rising From Disfigured to Dignified Traveling at first light in the Child2Youth well used van, hundreds of brightly clothed people danced as a reflection on the window as we sped along. Sites and smells of Mukono filled my senses as I wondered what was in store my first day in Africa.

Steven Ssenyonjo was filling me in on the hundreds of school children we would be addressing in the makeshift village schools. Out of the three thousand children we saw that week, one child stood out as special and I could not get her out of my mind.

In a village in Uganda, separated from the other children I noticed a little girl standing by a tree intently watching me. Being shy, her face was half turned away from me and she held her hand behind her back. I thought, “this tiny child wants to give me something.” I called to her and the students became very quiet www.thepromota.co.uk

and their eyes grew large as Steven motioned her forward.

Reluctantly she stood before me and I pulled her arm from behind her back expecting a rock or a flower. I stifled a gasp as I noticed her hand was almost gone, her fingers were nubs and melted together. Terrible scars were on her withered hand and up her arm. I took her little face in my hand and turned it toward me to tell her she did not have to hide her it and was shocked to see the side of her face was all scarred and skin terribly rippled.

Holding my breath, trying to contain my emotions, I picked her up and held her in my arms. With my hand on her chest I told her I could feel that she was very good on the inside and God had sent me here to tell her she was beautiful on the outside as well and that she did not have to hide her face or her hand any longer.

I asked Steven what happened to her. She had fallen in a fire, as many children do, and was lucky to be alive. Because she is “damaged” she is treated badly and no one cares about her future. I said, “keep track of her and we will find her a sponsor.”

After we arrived home to California, Steven told us in a letter “a miracle happened that day.” Unknowingly I had honored her by picking her up and holding her and that gesture had elevated her from “damaged” to very special.

Dianna is now sponsored, being very bright she is top of her class and is going to be a Doctor and help “damaged” children like herself.

To find our how you can help our children fulfill their dream of going to school contact: Steven Ssenyonjo Child2Youth Foundation stevesse59@gmail.com THE PROMOTA

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OPINION

Secrets from Men:

Things that Will Make a Man NEVER Want to Marry You

My male friends and I were talking the other day about marriage. We don’t talk about it the way women do, fantasizing and getting all excited about our wedding day. Instead, we talk about it like picking a career – you know you’re going to be stuck with it, it can be enjoyable, but you had better tread lightly or it could end up in disaster.

I thought I’d share with women a few things that my friends said we did NOT want in a wife. Take it or leave it, but here’s what most of us really do dislike: 1) A high-maintenance woman. It might be okay to be a little bit of a gold digger, but high maintenance means that nothing is ever good enough. You buy her something that costs $1,000 dollars, she barely says thank you. She might also be the kind of emotional black hole who is never satisfied or happy no matter what he says or does to make things better. That’s draining for men, and flat out horrible.

2) A woman who is bad with kids. A woman’s beauty is captured in her ability to nurture. The woman who says “I hate kids” is seen as less of a woman in the eyes of a lot of men. It also makes her look selfish.

3) A woman who doesn’t support you. If a man is going through things, he wants to believe his

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woman has his back through thick and thin. You want to feel beautiful, he wants to feel like a king. If he’s ridiculed or his dreams aren’t supported, then he will probably gravitate toward the woman who helps boost his ego, listens to him and encourages him, just like his mother used to do.

4)A woman who emasculates you or doesn’t respect gender roles: Feminism is nice, but a lot of hardcore feminists are either gay or single. You can have power in your household and still allow the man to be a man. If you’re constantly ordering him around or not respecting his manhood, then he will feel that you don’t need him.

So, the strong, independent woman who “don’t need no man” may lose her man because he is convinced that she “don’t need him” just like she said.

5) Bad in the bedroom. If you ask a man what time it is, he’s probably going to say, “It’s sexx o’clock.” Men are physical creatures, and good loving can make a man do pretty much whatever you want. But being frigid,

disinterested, unenthusiastic or not concerned about his physical needs will make other women look that much more inviting. He definitely won’t want to lock himself into a relationship with you, that’s for sure. It would be miserable for him.

6) Doesn’t get along with your family. No man wants to bring home a woman that his family hates; she becomes like a virus. Smile, be nice, be helpful, try to get along with everyone if you can and that makes him envision you as a regular visitor to his family gatherings. If you can’t do that, then find another man with a better family.

7) Really mean and overly moody/b*tchy. Most of my friends hate women who don’t smile or are always mad about everything. It sucks. A smiling woman who listens to his problems, tells him that he’s special, has his back and drops it ferociously in the bedroom can get him hooked. You want to be that woman.

Take it or leave it, this is what we said. What you do with this information is entirely up to you.

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HOW SOUTH AFRICAN Businesses are Rising to the Challenge of HIV & AIDS

A

s well as having a devastating impact on individuals, HIV and AIDS are also having an increasingly negative economic impact on many African businesses and organisations. However, more and more businesses are waking up to huge benefits that wellimplemented HIV/AIDS workplace support programs have to offer.

These programmes institute policies and procedures that prevent infected employees from discrimination from colleagues, as well as offering free HIV testing to their workforce in an attempt to diagnose and manage the disease at an early stage. This in turn helps employees stay healthy, take control of their illness and encourages the entire workforce to work together to support affected colleagues and work together collaboratively to prevent the illness having a negative impact on the company as a whole.

Anglo American leads the way One of the earliest organisations to adopt such a proactive approach was Anglo American, one of the world’s largest mining companies.

They recognized the heavy toll that HIV was having on its 100,000 strong South African workforce and in 2002 introduced a comprehensive and wide ranging programme in the workplace in order to ensure early diagnosis and work with affected employees to better manage their condition. In doing this, they’ve had a positive impact on not just their employees, but the wider community.

They offer counselling to affected staff members as well as awareness raising and prevention campaigns in the wider area to help safeguard their www.thepromota.co.uk

staff and families. They also offer free medical treatment to their employees and their dependants, including free nutritional supplements and anti retroviral drugs. By paying for their staff to have this treatment, Anglo American are improving their overall productivity. It makes great businessas well as social- sense. In 2012 they tested and counselled approximately 95,000 employees and contractors in South Africa, many of whom will go on to raise awareness in the wider community and pass on key messages about early diagnosis and treatment.

Community outreach and support Another company who are leading the way in supporting personnel with HIV and AIDS are Mercedes-Benz South Africa. However, they’re also taking one step further than many other employers by also reaching out to the wider community: not just dependents of their employees.

MBSA support and fund several projects that offer a lifeline to local people, such as the Sange Child and Youth Care Centre in Mdantsan.

It was founded in 2010 to provide welfare and care to children in need of protection, including young people affected and infected by HIV/ AIDS. MBSA have strong ties to the Mdantsane region as a large portion of their labour force live and work there. MBSA also run the Siyakhana Health Trust in partnership with the Border-Kei Chamber of Business and a German development agency.

This project provides 30 other small and medium sized companies in the Eastern Cape with HIV/AIDS awareness training, counselling, testing and care.

The SA Business Coalition on HIV Both of these companies are members of Sabcoha, the South African Business Coalition on HIV/AIDS, along with other major employers such as Afrox, Volkswagen of South Africa, Unilever and Toyota SA. With a membership base of over 40 corporations, large multinationals and smaller businesses, this vocal and influential coalition is effecting real change in SA by lobbying the government, running research projects and supporting businesses in setting up their own HIV and AIDS workplace testing and support programmes. Sabcoha have also put together a risk reducing training programme for very small businesses and new start ups called ‘BizAIDS’: a toolkit of guidelines and practical steps they can take in order to reduce the risk of infection among their staff.

When all is said and done, the epidemic is having a significant and severe effect on businesses and profitability across the continent, as well as fracturing communities and damaging the feeling of well-being and security that’s essential for a healthy economy. By addressing the illness at a basic, supportive levelas well as sharing best practiceSouth African businesses are taking care of their moral responsibility to care for their staff members as well as supporting their bottom line: something that’s vital in ensuring they can continue to provide valuable employment opportunities.

by Jennifer Lewis

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MOTIVATION

How to RID Your Life of Negativity and Retain the

POSITIVES A

s adults you tend to linger on the negative things in life.

Torment from our peers in middle school and high school can stick with you for life. Insults that are thrown at you as an adult seem larger than they really are. With all this negativity, it is surprising that more people aren’t walking around sulking.

If you are one of those people that has the burden of negativity upon them, try these four solutions to help you let it go and see the positives in life.

1. Take everything that is good in your life and savor it. Research has shown that while negative thoughts soak into your brain instantaneously, it can take up to 20 seconds to absorb something good that has happened.

When the good stuff comes around, stop what you are doing and soak it all in.

2. Express your gratitude for all of the good things that you have in life.

Every day write down in a journal all of the good things that happened through the day and then go back and read it the next day. Writing the positives down can help you to keep them in your mind longer and will help you to carry a positive attitude over to the next day.

3. Take a break from the news. Most of the headlines on TV and in the newspapers are negative. People die every day at the hands of others.

There are natural disasters, wars, and famine. Take a 24-48 hour break from all of it if possible so that you can step back from the negative imagery in the world and focus on the good.

4. Don’t make a snap judgment about a situation. Take a step back and look at everything as a whole, not just the negative aspects of the event. Look at the positives and the negatives. Don’t assume the worst, try to find the best.

UK firm to market world’s first malaria vaccine

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ritish drug maker GlaxoSmithKline is seeking regulatory approval for the world’s first malaria vaccine after trial data showed that it had cut the number of cases in African children.

Experts say that they are optimistic about the possibility of the world’s first vaccine after the trial results.

Malaria, a mosquito-borne parasitic disease, kills hundreds of thousands of people worldwide every year.

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Scientists say an effective vaccine is key to attempts to eradicate it.

Melinda Gates Foundation.

The vaccine known as RTS,S was found to have almost halved the number of malaria cases in young children in the trial and to have reduced by about 25% the number of malaria cases in infants.

“Many millions of malaria cases fill the wards of our hospitals,” said Halidou Tinto, a lead investigator on the RTS,S trial from Burkina Faso.

Malaria is caused by protozoan parasites that are transmitted by the bites of mosquitoes

GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) is developing RTS,S with the non-profit Path Malaria Vaccine Initiative (MVI), supported by funding from the Bill &

“Progress is being made with bed nets and other measures, but we need more tools to battle this terrible disease.”

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BUSINESS & FINANCE

Don’t See Obstacles, See Opportunities

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ruins.” There is good to be found in any situation - and usually a great opportunity hiding beneath the rubble.

Another falsehood is that some obstacles are insurmountable. With the right attitude, application - and of course a bit of luck - anything is possible. An obstacle is defined as “a thing that blocks one’s way or prevents or hinders progress.” What if you flip that around and think of an obstacle as an opportunity waiting to be found?

Some obstacles can seem overwhelming. It helps to surround yourself with good people, who can help see things from a different perspective and shed light on the darkest of situations. What may seen impossible to you could be an exciting challenge for somebody else. Equally, you might be able to help them with a different problem.

When the time is right, pool your skills, collaborate and you will achieve more.

ne of the great myths of business (and cheesy old game shows) is that opportunity knocks. Opportunity does not knock on your door, you have to bang on the door yourself and keep knocking until you get in.

Thomas Edison knew a thing or two about turning an obstacle into an opportunity. He showed this in all of his inventive genius, but also in how to recover from setbacks and push aside perceived obstacles. When he was in his late sixties, his huge West Orange New Jersey laboratory burnt to the ground. Rather than cursing his luck and panicking, he gathered his family and friends around to marvel at the fire and immediately began planning for the future.

Edison started rebuilding plans for a much improved lab, seeing the potential for improvement the disaster had presented. He said: “You can always make capital out of disaster. We’ve just cleared out a bunch of old rubbish! We’ll build bigger and better on these www.thepromota.co.uk

Opportunities can be found in the most unlikely situations as well as on a larger scale. A good example that made me proud happened recently with our airline staff. A flight was delayed because of bad weather, which of course can be annoying for passengers. Rather than seeing the situation as an obstacle, some intrepid staff spotted the opportunity to have some fun. They quickly set up an ‘Airport Olympics’, encouraging our customers to join in a paper plane throwing contest rather than sit there bored. As well as stirring some competitive spirit, they jumped on the chance to put a smile on people’s faces.

Getting over an obstacle is hard work. Especially when starting a business, difficulties can pile up

incredibly quickly. It is crucial not to get downhearted and pick off each teething problem one by one, rather than being weighed down by them all. There is no substitute for hard graft, but you need to give yourself the time and space to have a longterm vision, too. If you’re bogged down too much in the here and now of specific obstacles, opportunities will pass you by.

Grasping an opportunity is no picnic, either. They don’t present themselves gift-wrapped and ready to pick off the shelf. To quote that man Edison again: “Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” But there is nothing more satisfying than seizing a chance and turning an idea into reality. Most of the great achievements of mankind have started life as conundrums and been turned into triumphs by creative, determined people.

These people do not just overcome obstacles, they don’t see them.

They see the potential in every person and every situation. Once you start looking for opportunities, it’s amazing how many you find.

That’s how Virgin has spread into so many different sectors and markets.

Opportunities are out there, why don’t you go grasp them?

Richard Branson Founder, Virgin Group THE PROMOTA

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TALENT

10 minutes with

Sarah Ndagire C

an you talk about your background and how you got started in music?

I don’t come from a very musical family and was only acting throughout my primary and secondary school levels. It was during my A level vacation that I joined sharing youth band at the insistence of one of the band members who had heard me sing casually. I gave it a try and since then, I have never stopped. I have been performing with different Ugandan bands like Light rays, Big five, Percussion discussion Africa, Afrigo band etc I have recorded and released several music albums and videos which are doing well on youtube, itunes, cdbaby etc What are the challenges you’ve encountered in developing your career?

Uhuuu several to mention but a few lack of performance opportunities, very limited funds which are essential for any musician coming

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Exporting talents to UK up so as to be able to rehearse, perform and record, lack of or limited support especially from government etc but these are usually most musician’s challenges in the whole world.

What does an Exceptional Talent Visa to work in the UK mean to you?

I have been actively touring internationally, in Europe especially, for the past five years.

It was not so easy to get booked as it is hard for most bookers in Europe or USA to get musicians from as far as Africa because of things like the costs involved and visa issues. Having been granted the exceptionally talented visa which allows me to live and work in UK means that am now at the center of or closer to many artistic opportunities like performances, workshops, etc. It is now easier for a festival say in Germany to book me because I can even just get on the bus and get there.

How many years does the ETV last?

The ETV allows me to live and work in the UK for an initial 3 years and 4 months then I can extend it for a further 2 years after which I can apply to stay indefinitely.

What tips would you offer to aspiring musicians hoping to follow in your footsteps and planning to apply for an Exceptional Talent Visa?

The history of music is a dialogue between generations of artists. Up and coming musicians need to be very knowledgeable about music: learn about great singers from the past and present and try to borrow a leaf or two from their game, it might be the answer to your success. The game has changed and it is no longer about talent only, a musician needs to have an X factor. Networking, self-marketing and investment, preparedness, persistence, research and practice

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will all compliment talent to take you places. I have done all the above and when I applied for ETV it was easy for me to get. Through my network, I had been able to get involved in international projects like European tour, concerts and events. I have my music selling online ( itunes, cd baby, etc), my videos were streaming on youtube and people from different parts of the world were watching it and leaving very positive feedback, so all these helped me to demonstrate my involvement in producing work of international and exceptional quality. If you are a musician wishing to come to the UK under the ETV, then trying out some of the above like I did might be of help.

What inspires you?

My roots, my source is what I always say so Uganda and Ugandans inspire me a lot. I have learnt a lot from the traditional singers and their melodies. I have heard and watched many beautiful stories unfold before my eyes in Uganda which I retell in song.

What are your plans for the future – in relation to developing your reputation on the international stage.

I have just come back from Uganda after recording an album which I hope to release and start promoting through performances very soon. So my plans for the future still remain performing and performing wherever I get a chance to sing my people’s stories.

Music videos will also follow soon.

Has Ugandan music got a place on the international market? What makes Ugandan music so unique?

The music scene very much alive in Uganda and today there are many musicians traveling outside Uganda to perform.. Artists like Kinobe Herbert, Moris Kirya, Tshila, Rachael Magola and groups like Watoto children’s choir, soul beat Africa, Ndere troupe have successfully performed before many international audiences.

Others have gone on to release albums on international labels. This already means that Ugandan music has a place on the international market.

The Sporah Show Very Exciting SHOWS, GUESTS and ofcourse the HOT CORNER. Stay Tuned.

WE'RE NOW ON VOX AFRICA TV SKY 218 3 DAYS A WEEK

TUESDAY'S 8:00PM | THURSDAY'S 11:00AM | SUNDAY'S: 6:00PM NOW WATCH US GLOBALLY SKY 218 | DSTV 191 | GOTV 16 Francophone: CANALSAT HORIZONS 97 ORANGE 526 | NEUFBOX 555 | BBOX 661 FREE 286 | NUMERICOBLE 288 Facebook: The Sporah Show | Twitter: TheSporahShow | Instagram: thesporahshow | E: sporahtvshow@gmail.com www.thepromota.co.uk

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FASHION

Prepared by Gloria Katatumba Model: Makenda Gunter

GKat www.gkat.org 56 | THE PROMOTA

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BUSINESS AND INNOVATION

Cellphone loans take off in Kenya

was to be reached,” said Nzioka Muita, communications manager at Safaricom, which owns both the M-Pesa and M-Shwari systems.

Banking opportunities for informal sector Through this platform, Safaricom says clients can open a bank account, move money in and out of their savings accounts, and access instant micro-credit of a minimum of 100 Kenyan shillings - slightly more than a dollar - at any time, all through the mobile phone application.

Six months ago, Jane Adhiambo Achieng walked into a local Kenyan bank with the hope of getting a loan for her small grocery business.

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fter providing all the paperwork and after weeks of back and forth between her and bank officials, she was turned down.

“They just told me I don’t qualify. My income was too little,” said 42-yearold Achieng, who was asking for some $250 - about half her monthly turnover - to expand her fruit and vegetable stall in the Kenyan capital.

But in early March, she applied for the same amount through a different source - and got the money in a matter of minutes.

She credits the Kenyan mobile telephone money application called M-Shwari that lent her the cash for facilitating the growth of her business.

M-Shwari is a new banking platform that allows subscribers of Kenya’s biggest mobile network, Safaricom, to operate savings accounts, earn interest on deposits, and borrow www.thepromota.co.uk

money using their mobile phones.

It expands on Kenya’s revolutionary use of sending money by mobile phone - known as M-Pesa, “mobile money” in Swahili - launched in 2007 and now widely used across the east African nation, where some 70 percent of people have mobile phones.

With a minimum transfer of cash set at five shillings - around five US cents - the application revolutionised day-to-day banking for millions left out of the formal system, and is used for transactions ranging from sending money to far-away relatives to paying utility bills or even school fees.

While loans must be repaid within a month, a single fee of 7.5 percent is charged, a far lower interest rate than high-street banks. Maximum loans depend on how much clients have in their M-Shwari accounts.

The mobile banking application has been so successful that on its first day of operations late last year, more than 70,000 new accounts were opened.

“Up to this point in time, no one in the formal banking sector had thought of implementing such an idea,” said Tiberius Barasa, an economic expert with Kenya’s Institute of Policy Research and Analysis.

“I am sure that a few bank managers are looking at M-Shwari steadily to see if it is a potential threat to their business.”

Now it is hoped the new M-Shwari application - meaning “no hassle” - can do the same for savers and borrowers.

At least 12 million Kenyans remain outside the formal banking system, according to central bank estimates.

“We have always been thinking of how to move M-Pesa forward.

We knew there was a boundary to be broken and the next frontier

Safaricom controls about 70 percent of the Kenya mobile-phone market, translating to some 19 million subscribers. Of those, some 15 million are already M-Pesa users, a THE PROMOTA

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COVER STORY

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COVER STORY

How Nelson Mandela Inspired Oprah Winfrey To Change The Lives Of South African Girls of African-Americans. Each day she bounced between a home of poverty and a classroom of possibilities. Here she discovered a knack for public speaking and debate, which earned her a part-time radio gig and, later, a scholarship to Tennessee State University.

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elevision personality, media mogul, actress and philanthropist Oprah Winfrey is always in the media for the right reasons. She is not only the richest black woman but also one of the top philanthropist.

She revealed how she was inspired

by Mandela to change lives of South African girls. Initiated a $100 millionplus quest to build her ambitious school. The decision started out as a rather outlandish promise to a man who became her friend, confidante and mentor: Nelson Mandela, the late anti-Apartheid icon, who passed away at age 95.

vacation of sorts. “I was at first very intimidated,” Winfrey said of the event during our 2012 interview.

Unsure of what to talk about with the legendary Mandela for such a long stay, she probed Graham for input.

His advice to a woman arguably more used to holding court: “Why don’t you try listening?”

For those 10 days Winfrey and the former South African president swapped stories, exchanged ideas and passed newspaper sections back and forth. When the topic turned to poverty, Winfrey spoke up. It was a subject she knew something about.

The stunning campus just outside Johannesburg and the school’s rigorous academic programming are unprecedented, serving the best and brightest but also the most underprivileged South African girls, many of them AIDS orphans and all from households surviving on less than $950 a month.

Growing up in Kosciusko, Miss., Winfrey’s childhood wasn’t far removed from the average South African. She lived on a farm without indoor plumbing and watched her grandmother, who largely raised her, hand-wash her clothes. At 9 she was raped by a cousin; at 14 she gave birth to a son, who died after childbirth.

In 2000 Winfrey and long-time boyfriend Stedman Graham were invited to stay at Mandela’s home on the country’s Western Cape for a

Her way out came in the form of a federal program that gained her access to a rich suburban school, where she was one of only a handful

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When she started making real money-millions, then billions, from her eponymous talk show and subsequent media empire-she vowed to pay for other poor black kids to go to college. And she has: To date she’s shelled out well over $400 million toward educational causes, including more than 400 scholarships to Atlanta’s Morehouse College.

Sitting on the floor at Mandela’s house, in thrall to her hero and saddened as he described the state of schooling in his country, she vowed to take her giving a step further.

She pledged $10 million toward a South African school then and there.

“When you go to Nelson Mandela’s house, what do you take?” she said, half-joking, of her gift that day. “You can’t bring a candle.

I wanted to leave something that would be of value.”

When the school officially opened in January 2007, Winfrey’s celebrity friends including Diane Sawyer and Tina Turner flew in to see the magnificent campus and meet the inaugural classes of girls, many of whom are now at top U.S. universities including Wellesley and Mount Holyoke.

But the guest of honour? Winfrey’s inspiration, Madiba, of course.

Some extracts from a story published by www.forbes.com

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Sudan People Liberation Movement or SPLM, the current ruling party in South Sudan.

The CPA agreement brought six years of a transitional period from 2005 to the subsequent referendum in 2011, when the region chose to secede from Sudan and became an independent republic.

Juba – South Sudan

Returning Home Welcome to Juba, capital city of Africa’s newest country, South Sudan. Despite the sweltering heat, the locals love their suits and ties. And they have just celebrated their second independence anniversary this July. They proudly say their city is Africa’s largest village. The moniker, largest African village, comes from years of underdevelopment because of war.

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efore 2005, this city was a garrison town full of grass thatched mud huts in the middle of a ravaging war zone.

Today, flashy comfy air conditioned SUVs crisscross the streets, mobile phones have become play toys and trendy apartments are popping up at an unimaginable rate. Business people from all corners of the globe, including the Chinese and Brazilians have swarmed into town to have a bite of these new found opportunities.

That means some businessmen both foreign and local have to carry three or four different cellphones, one for their personal use the rest for business.

And they very proudly display them on the coffee tables.

I was even surprised to meet a Guinean on my flight here. Dollars he said was the reason he was coming to Juba, a chance to make

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some good money. He said he could not find such opportunities in his home country. He even wondered why some Africans are risking all to go abroad when such opportunities abound right here in the middle of the continent.

Here in Juba, they had to start from scratch and so they need anything and everything. Just think of anything that can be sold from bottled water, cement, to generators or the food on the dinner tables, all that have to be imported.

That is the reason why Juba is listed as one of Africa’s boom cities.

All that has been a crop of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement or CPA, signed in Nairobi Kenya in 2005 between the Sudanese government of Omar Al Bashir, who is wanted in the Hague by the International Criminal Court ICC for alleged war crimes in that country, and his arch nemesis, the late Dr. John Garang, leader of the rebel

Decades of war had relegated this vast territory which can easily swallow both Kenya and Uganda, to an era comparable to the medieval times, lamented a fellow writer friend. But he says that elusive development which the locals have yawned for is slowly coming.

Yet this city of about half a million or so people has no running water or sewage system and definitely no functional electricity grid because everybody relies on loud generators to power their electrical appliances.

Even charging mobile phones is a booming business here.

The lack of piped water is the reason water tank trucks manned by Ethiopians and Eritreans crisscross the city, selling water pumped from the Nile to the locals.

And most companies are foreign owned, like the Chinese and Malaysian oil companies operating in the coveted oil fields. Crude oil exports are the source of over ninety per cent of the South Sudanese government revenues. But neighbouring Sudan which owns the pipeline and the port through which the oil is shipped to the world market has threatened yet again to close the pipeline and deprive the Juba government of their major source of revenue.

Even the only tarmacked road extending south of Juba to the Ugandan border was completed less than two years ago through a United States government funded program.

Within the city itself, there are not as many tarmacked streets.

To move around one has to risk

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But the greatest rabble-rouser among the locals is the endemic corruption which they say has bedeviled their young nation.

a bumpy ride on board crammed rickety passenger service vans or take the crazy motorcycles or bodabodas as they call them here. I saw four accidents here in two days with two fatalities. All involved these bodabodas.

My writer friend very modestly says this is the period of rest.

You see this country has been at war for a very long time. And now that peace has come, our people feel a need to rest and have a good time.

But you have to be wise, because when the elephant has fallen, he who has no knife goes home without any meat.

What he meant was, this is the time to make or break it in Juba. But some still prefer to take it real easy and have a very good time.

Of course such good times mean blaring Afrobeat music while playing card and board games all day by roadside cafes or guzzling bottles of imported beer at midday, under the shaded mango trees by the banks of the Nile. Here is where the major foreign owned hotels and discothèques are located.

Good times can also mean uneducated youths in flashy suits preferring to look for white collar jobs in government offices because nobody wants those sweaty blue collar jobs. Leave it to the Ugandans and the Kenyans they say.

Also prostitution has become a common vice with most girls in the age old trade coming from the neighboring countries. The authorities are trying to stump out the vice by knocking down shacks and illicit brew joints. www.thepromota.co.uk

The president, Salva Kiir Mayardit had to send out letters to some of his ministers and top government officials whom he suspected of corruption, asking them to return the 4 billion dollars they stole from the government coffers.

Although an investigation was carried out, not even one suspect has been brought to book to date.

But in the past month, in a bid to fight corruption or perhaps brazing himself for a presidential election in 2015, the president has suspended his ministers of finance and cabinet affairs, pending another investigation. The two prominent ministers have been accused of trying to steal eight million dollars without authorization from the president.

The government in Juba has also been accused by human rights groups of silencing critics, including torture and unfair imprisonment of journalists and government critics like the assassination of the late columnist Isaiah Abraham, killed for his views. Also for doing little about the escalating security situation and poverty in the country, especially in the volatile and restive Jonglei state, where a rebellion has been simmering for months now, and cattle rustling and ethnic clashes remain rampant.

DIASPORA and some survive by collecting water bottles and pop canes which litter the city streets, selling them for a pittance. Also brewing illicit liquor and hauling building rocks makes one get by.

Some have even resorted to crime.

The under paid security forces have been accused of lending their guns to criminals for a piece of the loot.

Watch out and never keep a motorcycle in your house, advised my friend, unless you want to invite criminals to rob you. They also like brand new Toyotas and those other enviable brands of SUVs. You can make a million today here in Juba and lose it the next day if you are not careful.

So as the sunsets over this dusty, hot and sunny city by the bank of the Nile, I feel a pervading sense of uncertainty blanketing it. I hope the dream of these Jubarians to see their city develop and prosper shall be fulfilled.

Maybe tomorrow will be a better cooler day. Let’s hope so because today was too hot for my liking. I had to carry a bottle of water in my hand everywhere I went. One reason was to quench my thirst and the other was to stay free from any cholera or typhoid.

Carrying bottled water in the hand, that’s how they knew I was not from Juba. I was just another returnee.

by David Dedi

To the average Jubarian, life is not so rosy. Many live from hand to mouth Born in a war torn African country, David Dedi found solace in books. This budding writer and poet, from South Sudan, Africa’s youngest nation is the author of an anthology of poetry and short stories called Borrowing Fire. As a child he grew up in refugee camps in Africa. Despite his predicament, he immersed himself into learning, seeking inspiration in works by literary greats like the late Chinua Achebe and Samuel Beckett.Through support from relatives and benefactors he was able to enrol into schools in Kenya. In 2006 after excelling in his final secondaryschool examination, he got a sponsorship at the prestigious University of British Columbia, where he graduated witha Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology and history in 2011. Although he lost his parents in 1995at the tender age of eight, his father to a soldier’s bullet and his mother to HIV/AIDS, his quest to better his life gave him the zeal and resilience to survive, and the passion to share his experiences, through poetry and storytelling. He now lives in Canada but has recently returned to South Sudan to help in development.For him it was a poignant experience, returning home after twenty one years and meeting a changed country.

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The 3rd Ugandan UK Convention, ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL FORUM A Trade & Investment Forum - Driving Economic Growth in Uganda

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n 14th September 2013, Ugandans in the Diaspora successfully concluded their annual gathering in London, bringing together Ugandan politicians, business community, potential investors and technocrats.

The success of the convention could be measured both in numbers of attendants and in its objectives being met.

Hon. Edward Ssekandi reported government plans to be accountable for her people at home and in Diaspora, by establishing a separate department in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and a legal framework to support national strategy on Diaspora with the following key objectives:

• Promotion of dual-citizenship including visiting rights and participation in electoral processes • Creation of platforms for Ugandans in the Diaspora to participate in national development planning and policy formulation • Economic opportunities including Diaspora forex accounts, access Diaspora banks, and purchase of Diaspora bonds

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• Promotion of Diaspora rights and observation of the Diaspora week.

In response to previous conventions’ resolutions, Hon. Kadaga, in a message delivered by Hon. Mariam Nalubega, reported that a Diaspora office has been established, headed

by Nabasumba Agnes Amooti, who can be contacted on diasporadesk@ parliament.go.ug and Landline: +256-414-377-183.

The speaker also stressed that efforts were underway to scrap the dual citizenship fees.

The Buganda Land Board and its investment company (BICUL) attended the occasion and graced it with financial support towards the exhibition – an indication of Buganda Kingdom support.

Ssebuwufu (CEO BICUL), and Kyewalabye CEO Buganda Land Board cited openings in real estate market, and commercialization of natural resources as key investment opportunities.

Mr. Bitature Chairman (UIB) and CEO Simba Group, clarified that Africa is not synonymous with turmoil citing cases of unrest even in the UK. He stressed Africa’s numerous opportunities and directed participants’ attention to the

development of infrastructure as key to Africa’s growth. He mentioned manufacturing, agriculture, infrastructure, logistics, ICT, energy, mining, petroleum; services industry including health, finance, education, and tourism as viable investment opportunities ready for economic exploitation, citing the regressive cost trend of doing business in Uganda.

He presented a bigger picture by mentioning Uganda’s strategic link to a wider potential market of 130 million people, emphasized the importance of making economic ties throughout the region by joining economic blocks like COMESA, East African Community, and The Great Lakes Region thus creating a bigger market for potential investors.

Attributing Africa’s challenges to corruption, weak institutions, and leadership, he advised leaders to strengthen institutions and called for harmoniously working towards elimination of corruption to achieve development.

Lord Sheikh, a successful Ugandan Asian entrepreneur in UK, appealed to Ugandan Asians to invest in Uganda, repatriate resources and expertise greatly needed to develop

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Mr. Mutenza briefing VIPs at the 3rd Ugandan UK Convention Uganda. Advising them to desist from maintaining grudges against Ugandans’ and the government. He appealed to them to forget the past and Amin, and focus on the present and future of coming generations.

He advised UK investors to utilize the British Embassy advisory staff in Kampala, for guidance on business opportunities in Uganda.

Hon. Muloni, (Energy and Mineral Development) mentioned Uganda’s natural resources endowment that needs transformation to add value.

He particularly pointed out the existence of 3.5 billion barrels of crude oil intended to be refined to meet local needs, to serve the East African market, and elsewhere in the world.

Hon. Sam Engola highlighted a shortfall of 1.2 million houses and invited investors to come and introduce modern affordable housing technology.

The UMA Executive Director, gave statistics of 75% of Uganda’s domestic consumption being imported - an indicator of manufacturing sector opportunities. He further showed that existing factories produce a paltry 30%, leaving 70% to opportunity and advised collaboration with www.thepromota.co.uk

established companies to provide the best market entry strategy.

Janet Mukiibi of KATS Advocates (a recent returnee) encouraged members to return to Uganda and utilize their exposure and skills to explore the available opportunities.

Ambassador Sebulime encouraged members to form partnerships and take advantage of projects like dam construction whose products would be wholly bought by government.

Mr. Kamujugo (URA) attributed efficiency in improved service delivery (which has reduced the cost of doing business) to automation citing improved process of clearing merchandise.

Hon. Nekesa and Hon. Nalubega invited members to invest in mineral exploitation, commercialization of agriculture, and investment in renewable energy resources, and environmental preservation.

Dr. Allam advised members to desist from traditional practices, engage in modern agricultural practices, promoting technical change, and institution of quality control measures to meet international standards.

Hon. Nankabirwa highlighted government efforts to encourage

www.ugandanconventionuk.org local farmers by establishing cold rooms, hatcheries, infrastructure, and identifying progressive farmers connecting them to markets.

Finally, we sincerely appreciate Hon. Edward Ssekandi (Vice President), Mr. Bitature (UIB), Mr. Kamujugo, Mr. Ssebaggala (UMA), Hon. Aporu, Hon. Sam Engola, Hon. Nekesa, Honorable members of parliament, commissioners, ambassadors from Europe, moderators, community leaders, voluntary sector representatives, and our exhibitors for showcasing Uganda.

We also appreciate the support and contribution of all volunteers, and all others, too many to mention, for the encouragement and shared ideas that have made this Convention a great success.

Yours Willy Mutenza Chairman Ugandan Uk Convention A Trade & Investment Forum Register for the 4th Convention: www.ugandanconventionuk.org Date: Sat. 13 Sept 2014 Venue: Troxy, 490 Commercial Rd, E1 0HX London UK M: +447790 647 089 THE PROMOTA

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3RD UK CONVENTION

Hon. Irene Muloni

Vice President HE Hon. E. Ssekandi

Marion Van Reeth Brussels Airlines

Herve Ndikumana

George Mutabaazi

Patrick Ibeba

Chairman, Lwengo District

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3RD UK CONVENTION

Robin Odongo Bernard Magulu MM2 CApital

CEO Delta Nurasing / Gulu Independet Hospital

Rose Twine Director - Eco Group Ltd

Robin Odongo CEO Delta Nurasing / Gulu Independet Hospital

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Vice President

Edwin Senjobe

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HSGH SGHS

Patrick Bitature CEO Simba Group Chairman of Uganda Investment Board

James Mulondo Okusinza Mu Luganda

HE Zaake Kibedi Ambassador Denmark, Nordics.

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Hon. Sam Engola Minister for Housing

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Singing the National anthem and opening of the VIP guests at the 3rd ConventionHSGH SGHS

Lord Sheikh

Hon Ruth Nankabirwa, WillyMinister Mutenzaof State Fisheries

Mahbub Khan

Ade Daramy Co-MC

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Geoffrey Semaganda MC

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HSGH SGHS

Sebaggala M. Kigozi, Executive Director, UMA

Mr. Richard Kamajugo, Commissioner for customs

Kyewalabye-Male David, CEO, Buganda Land Board

Sebuwufu Roland Head Investments.

Buganda Land Board.

Sarah Kagingo Presidents communication officer

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Anne Babiganda Investment-State House

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HSGH SGHS

Rev. Godfrey Kaziro

Mr Kasekende MD, Standard Chartered Bank

Mrs Janet Mukiibi Diaspora rep. in Uganda

Nancy Mugga

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HSGH SGHS

Vicent Mukiibi

Jane Mpologoma

Rev. Danny Kajumba

Hon Maria Nalubega

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HSGH SGHS

Hon. Sam Engola

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David Foxman developedafrica.com

HSGH SGHS

Sam Foxman developedafrica.com

Dickson Wasake Jacqueline Matovu

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HSGH SGHS

Jaffer Kapasi OBE

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Wangusi Masinde THE PROMOTA

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RD HSGH 3 CONVENTION SGHS CONFERENCE

Innocent Opio

Maureen Mwagala

Julius Musinguzi

Ayatollah Mugazi

Hon. Sam Engola Denis Katungi

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Geoffrey Semaganda

Hon. Irene Bernard Muloni Magulu Minister of Energy www.thepromota.co.uk

3RD CONVENTION CONFERENCE

Peter Hartley Metier Homes

Hon. Nekesa

Hon. Nalube

Geoffre Lutaay

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3RD CONVENTION AFTER-PARTY

Atumpan The Thing star Valentino dancers

Awilo Longomba After Party artist

Wizzy Simon Awilo Longomba After Party artist Kuklee artist

Odongo

Sharon Odongo Myco Kris

Edwin Bones Tukasingura

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Paddy Dee

Godfrey Ngobin

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3RD CONVENTION AFTER-PARTY

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Dj Dannilove

Andrew Bukenya

Job Elongu

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Lady Amina & Daughter

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HEALTH

Has the dreaded

IBS finally met its match?

A

taskforce of experts and scientists from 19 European countries have formed a International network called GENIEUR (Genes in Irritable Bowel Syndrome Europe), Led by Dr. Beate Niesler at Heidelberg University Hospital’s Institute of Human Genetics and Scientific teams from the Sahlgrenska Academy, Unversity of Gothenburg and Karolinska Instituet, (Sweden) they have formed an multidisciplinary network who are researching into the causes of IBS with the aim of better understanding the condition and improving diagnosis and treatment.

Up to 1 in 5 people in the UK develop IBS during their life, it is one of the most common causes for being off work after the common cold and has a considerable impact on quality of life and the economy with 66% of IBS sufferers reporting in sick during the last six months.

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is well known as a chronic and relapsing condition which is typically characterised by abdominal pain or discomfort associated with bloating and a change in bowel habit ie diarrhoea and or constipation. It is a functional disorder meaning that there is a problem with the gut function but there is no structural abnormality.

As well as the above, sufferers

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may also have nausea, headaches, belching, loss of appetite, fatigue, muscular pains and heartburn.

IBS is thought to originate from an over activity in part or parts of the gut but the essential trigger factor is not always known.

However, there are several theories suggested: 1. Over activity of the nerves or muscles of the gut which may be due to stress or emotional upset. (A new study from the University of Michigan Health System showed that stress does not cause IBS but it does alter Brain Gut interactions and stimulates Intestinal inflammation leading to the familiar IBS symptoms.)

2. Intolerance to certain foods, but not very common.

3. After a Gastrointestinal infection about 1 in 6 cases develop into IBS.

There is no single defining test for IBS and diagnosis in Primary care is usually done via the History, symptoms described earlier and by exclusion. Blood tests can help to rule out anaemia, and distinguish between an Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) such as Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, antibody testing for Coeliac disease is also recommended. This is all supported by the NICE guidelines and the British Society of Gastroenterology(BSG) .

Once a positive diagnosis of IBS has been made there is currently no known cure, symptomatic relief should be provided depending upon the presenting symptoms.

Self management is regularly encouraged and advice on diet and lifestyle and stress management offered if appropriate.

The initial approach in managing IBS is one of dietary modifications

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and the addition of fibre, probiotics plus pain relief using antispasmodics. Those suffering with constipation will benefit from a medication called Linaclotide.

This relatively new medication to the market is useful for this symptom plus abdominal pain.

If diarrhoea is the problem then Loperamide may be helpful. If all other treatments have not helped then antidepressants may be considered. A good patient Doctor relationship has been shown to help their IBS, this type of continuity will lead to improved outcomes especially in chronic conditions.

Remember, IBS comes in a variety of guises and various subtypes have been identified over the years.

IBS sufferers should be referred to secondary care only if the following Alarm features are present: Rectal Bleeding, unexplained unintentional weight loss, a family history of bowel/ovarian cancer, late onset >50 years old.

Ultimately the prognosis for IBS is good. Most sufferers will tend to have long term symptoms, but their severity will change from intense to mild and sometimes and there may be long periods without any symptoms at all. Treatment is usually very effective in “flare ups” and in a few cases the problem may resolve completely. IBS is not known to alter you expected lifespan does not lead to bowel cancer or cause intestinal blockage. Combining this with the new exciting research may finally lead to unravelling the puzzle that is IBS References: NICE Guidelines, The British Society of Gastroenterologists,The IBS Network, The British Journal of General Practice,Gastroenterology, Family Practice.

by Dr Charan Naidoo www.thepromota.co.uk

What’s the Best Diet for IBS?

The answer to that question is, it depends. I know many readers will not like that answer, but it’s IBS Banquet Tablethe truth. Each individual should journal and review their dietary intake for about 2 weeks, and see if they can find any discernible pattern to what causes an increase in IBS symptoms. In picking a diet for IBS there are foods that you should stay away from: • Dairy • Caffeine • Certain Sugars and Carbohydrates The specifics are too many to list here, but there are great resources out there IBS Diet Menus. The most talked about and utilized diet for IBS is the FODMAP Diet, which concentrates on avoiding the items listed above.

Whatever your choice of diet for IBS, make sure you do your self-examination and homework on what causes you the most difficulties with your symptoms.

When to see your GP Visit your GP if you think you have IBS. They will want to rule out other illnesses, such as an infection, coeliac disease (a digestive condition where a person has an adverse reaction to gluten) or chronic inflammation of the gut.

They will ask about your symptoms and whether there is a pattern to them – for example, if they tend to come on when you are under more stress than usual or after eating certain foods. Your GP may suggest you keep a food diary to see whether your diet affects your symptoms.

Further tests will only be needed if you have certain "red flag" symptoms that indicate you may have another serious condition. These symptoms include: • • •

unexplained weight loss a swelling or lump in your abdomen or back passage (bottom) anaemia (a lack of red blood cells) THE PROMOTA

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HEALTHY AND FOOD

HEALTHY AND DELICIOUS FOODS That You May Not Think of When Grilling It is summer time which means it is time to break out the grill! Most people tend to the typical stuff and grill hot dogs, hamburgers, and chicken. Here are some healthy surprises that you can put on the grill for some great summer cookout meals.

1. When you think of lettuce, you think of a cold salad. But if you sprinkle some olive oil on it, a little salt and pepper or vinegar, and throw it on the grill until it is slightly charred it makes a great side dish with some cherry tomatoes and cucumbers.

2. Did you know that you can grill watermelon? Cut it into slices, sprinkle a small amount of salt on if you wish, and grill. It intensifies the sweetness of the watermelon and

gives it a smoky hint of flavor.

3. Pizza can be great when it is grilled. Take some pizza dough, make sure the grill is really hot or the dough will stick, and roll it out with a rolling pin. Place it on the grill until it comes off easily and then add your favorite toppings to the grilled side and put it back on the grill to cook the other side.

4. Grill up some mango for a sweet addition to your burger.

5. Portobello mushrooms are great on the grill and taste great in a salad or on your burger. They contain some minerals that are good for you that are hard to find in other foods such as selenium.

6. If you are making kabobs, throw some grapes on the skewers. They have no fat or cholesterol and have vitamins C and K. 7. Grilling pineapple is something that goes great with grilled teriyaki chicken kabobs.

8. Grilled asparagus is a perfect pairing with chicken and steak.

9. Put some strawberries on a skewer, coat them with cider vinegar and a little salt, and you have a new summer treat.

10. Peaches are a July superfood, so why not throw those on the grill too?

They are packed with vitamins and minerals.

Why lack of sleep is bad for your health Many effects of a lack of sleep, such as feeling grumpy and not working at your best, are well known. But did you know that sleep deprivation can also have profound consequences for your physical health? ne in three Britons suffers from poor sleep, with stress, computers and taking work home often blamed for the lack of quality slumber.

O

of good quality sleep a night to function properly – but some need more and some less. What matters is that you find out how much sleep you need and then try to achieve it.

However, the cost of all those sleepless nights is more than just bad moods and a lack of focus.

As a general rule, if you wake up tired and spend the day longing for a chance to have a nap, it’s likely that you’re not getting enough sleep.

Regular poor sleep puts you at risk of serious medical conditions including obesity, heart disease and diabetes – and it shortens your life expectancy.

It’s now clear that a solid night’s sleep is essential for a long and healthy life.

How much sleep do we need?

Most of us need around eight hours

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A variety of factors can cause poor sleep, including health conditions such as sleep apnoea. But in most cases it’s a matter of bad sleeping habits.

What happens if I don’t sleep?

Oversleeping

getting enough sleep, sleeping too much can also cause problems.

Oversleeping has been linked to physical problems such as diabetes and heart disease.

According to the Mental Health Foundation, oversleeping can occur in 15-40% of people with depression.

Everyone’s experienced the fatigue, short temper and lack of focus that often follow a poor night’s sleep.

An occasional night without sleep makes you feel tired and irritable the next day, but it won’t harm your health.

Although it isn’t as common as not

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D

Which is Better For Weight Loss;

DIET OR EXERCISE?

iet and exercise are the ways that you can lose weight and keep it off. Studies show that people who do one often neglect the other. Which is better for you to concentrate on if you are one of those people? According to six studies that were published in the journal Psychological Science, people who focused on their diet instead of exercise overall had lower BMIs. The study questioned 1,200 people in China, the US, Canada, France, and South Korea about which they thought was more important. They also took their height and weight measurements to figure out their BMI. The people who said that food management was more important had lower BMIs. Those who said that staying active is more important than eating right had higher BMIs and a higher percent of obesity.

They also ate more than those who thought that food management was more important.

Our beliefs are what guide our actions, so if you believe that being more active is more important than being diligent about your diet, you will end up eating more because you are not as concerned with what you are putting in your body. Exercise can absolutely support weight loss and management, but it needs to be coupled with a good diet or it ends not being as beneficial as it could be.

On the other hand if you believe that eating better is more important you may forget about exercise because you are so focused on what you are eating.

All of this research shows that a healthy diet is more important than exercise. If you sit down to a 3,000 calorie lunch, exercise is not going to help you lose weight because there is not enough time in the day to work it all off. Exercise should still be an important part of your day, but focus more on what you are putting into your body.

Don’t Believe it: What MEN say to Trick you out of using CONDOMS 2. “I can’t wait, let’s just do it” – It doesn’t take that long to put protection on. 73.2% of men think that a little sweet talk is enough to get you to give in and let them fly free. Keep a few spares in your purse or within easy access near your bed so that he can’t use the excuse that there is no time.

Researchers from the University of Washington took a poll of 313 men on their $exual behavior, including their use of c0nd0ms or lack thereof. An astonishing 80% said that they will use excuses to avoid using a c0nd0m and not only that, will use several different ones over the years. Here are the five most common excuses that men will give to avoid having to use a c0nd0m during $ex.

1. “Don’t worry, I am clean” – 73.7% of men feel that if they have a clean bill of health on the STD front than they should have the all clear not to use protection.

However, STDs can be asymptomatic and may not always be visible. There is also the problem of preventing pregnancy. Warn him about the chances of getting pregnant and open the c0nd0m before he can argue with you.

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3. “It feels so much better without it” – A little over 50% of men say they have tried this excuse. Some women have an easier time with climax when they don’t have to worry about pregnancy or STDs. There are a variety of c0nd0ms that enhance pleasure as well.

4. “Can I not wear a c0nd0m?” – Some men will come right out and ask without an actual excuse.

Make sure he knows, no protection = no $ex.

5. “What, you don’t trust me?” – More than 34% of men have tried this jerk move. Explain to him that it has nothing to do with him but you would like to protect yourself just in case.

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HE. PROF. J.K. KIKAFUNDA, Uganda’s High Commissioner to the UK presented her credentials to the Queen

H

E. Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda, The High Commissioner of the Republic of Uganda finally presented her credentials to HRM Queen Elizabeth II. Following the presentation, she hosted invited guests to a luncheon at the Hyatt Regency, The Churchill London.

Among the invited guests was Lord Sheikh (House of Lords), HE Mr Bernard Sande (Malawi High Commissioner), Berhanu Kebede (Ethiopian Ambassador to the United Kingdom), Mr Roy Warren Blackbeard (Botswana High Commissioner), Abdullahi H A El Azreg (Ambassador of the Republic of the Sudan), HE Mr Sabit Abbe Alley (South Sudan), Embassy staff, Willy Mutenza (UK Convention) and many VIPs from various institutions.

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In her remarks, HE Prof.

Kikafunda said that this is a special day for Uganda when her head of mission presents her credentials to HRM Queen Elizabeth II and indeed a special day for her and her family.

HE Prof. Kikafunda used the moment to outline some of her plans during her tenure as the High Commissioner in the UK. She is tasked to promote commercial diplomacy, trade and investment and tourism.

She thanked those who are working hard in promoting Uganda and helping her achieve the Vision2040 goals.

Congratulations to Her Excellency Prof. Joyce Kikafunda!

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Amb. Isaac Sebulime

HE. Prof. Joyce Kakuramatsi Kikafunda

Mr. Willy Mutenza

Lord Sheikh Lady Sheikh

Dr. Joseph Kikafunda

HE Sabit Alley South Sudan HE Bernard Sande

Malawi High Commissioner

Abdullahi H A El Azreg Ambassador - Sudan

Mr Roy Warren Blackbeard Botswana

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Berhanu Kebede Ethiopian

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SUCCESS

Magic Johnson

Still Beating HIV 20 Years Later

I

f Magic Johnson had known just how well he could live with HIV, he wouldn’t have retired from the Lakers on Nov. 7, 1991.

Johnson would never change what he did for the fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic when he publicly revealed his diagnosis to a stunned world.

His courage that day, along with two subsequent decades of vibrant living, forever altered attitudes about the virus and its effects.

Magic is simply glad the world knows such happy endings are possible with access to treatment and vigilance.

“At that time, it was the right decision,” Johnson said Monday on the 20th anniversary of his stunning retirement. “If I knew what I knew today, that I could still play basketball and do my thing, I probably wouldn’t have retired. But I’m a guy that doesn’t have regrets. I don’t look back. I’m happy, because I wanted to be here a long time. We made the right call at that time.”

Johnson recognized the occasion at Staples Center on Monday with an upbeat celebration and a message of steadfastness. Dozens of politicians,

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celebrities and Lakers greats from Jerry West and Pat Riley to James Worthy and Michael Cooper joined Johnson and AIDS researcher David Ho for a luncheon, and the Magic Johnson Foundation announced a $1 million gift to continue its mission for worldwide HIV awareness and testing.

Two decades after his shocking admission and quick retirement at 32, Johnson’s doctors say he’s a 52-yearold specimen of health, comfortably managing HIV with a daily regimen of drugs and exercise.

While he once took upwards of 15 pills several times a day, he now requires just a few daily medications.

He rises around 5 a.m. each day for a vigorous workout – everything from stretching and running to Tae Bo – before spending his days overseeing his large business empire.

Yet Johnson worries his strong health could encourage complacency, and he sees the anniversary of his historic announcement as a call to renew dedication to the cause.

“I often say I’m good for the virus, and bad for it,” Johnson said. “Good because I’m doing well, and that

I can go out and try and raise the awareness level, get people to go get tested ... but on the flip side of that, people see that I’m doing well, so they’ve kind of relaxed on HIV and AIDS. People think that now if they get the virus, they’ll do well, but a couple million will die this year.”

While Johnson mostly remembers a feeling of confidence derived from the unflinching support of his wife, Cookie, on the day of his announcement, his fellow Lakers have no trouble recalling the shock and confusion they felt 20 years ago.

“It stunned me, and I think I was only semi-conscious,” Lakers owner Jerry Buss said. “The whole day is just like a blur in my mind. I remember Kareem (Abdul-Jabbar) had to assist me. I don’t think I had enough blood in the brain.”

Worthy remembers the Lakers being sent from practice at Loyola Marymount to the Forum, with no idea why. The power forward wondered whether West was retiring from his executive job, or perhaps Johnson was seriously injured after missing the previous week of practice.

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“When he announced, it was a reality check, because at that time, it could have been anybody,” Worthy said. “A lot of people started to wonder about themselves, especially people who had never been tested before. ... He’s taught us all a valuable lesson. Back in the early `90s, you thought it was a death (sentence). You thought it was over. To see him put meaning on a disease that only had one meaning, that was great.”

Ho, a pioneering researcher who grew up in Los Angeles idolizing West and Elgin Baylor, said he met Johnson “on one of his darkest days” after his diagnosis. Ho has always been impressed by Johnson’s upbeat willingness to acknowledge his condition, using himself to raise funds for research and treatment.

Ho also shot down the long-held suspicion that Johnson easily managed the virus because his wealth and celebrity gave him access to preferential treatment.

Johnson’s condition is “quite typical” at this point in the virus’ treatment, he said.

“All of us working in the field are grateful to him and his foundation for doing so, because this is a plague that continues to rage,” Ho said. “Because of therapeutic success, there is too much complacency in this country about this pandemic.

We still need to develop new and better drugs. We have drugs that control HIV, but we don’t have a cure, so research must continue.”

Johnson famously couldn’t stay away from basketball after his retirement, spreading the truth about HIV transmission to players and fans who sometimes balked at his participation. He was the MVP of the 1992 Allwww.thepromota.co.uk

Star game and won a gold medal at the Barcelona Olympics before briefly coaching the Lakers in 1994 and returning to the court for 32 games in 1996, finally retiring in uniform.

Johnson is now a hugely successful businessman, a basketball commentator, a doting husband and a grandfather to his son Andre’s two children.

Yet he’s still raising money and awareness, always working to create the same limitless future for others.

“The only problem is, I would be happier if the numbers in the black and brown communities would go down,” Johnson said, citing the majority of each year’s 60,000 new U.S. cases of HIV in minority communities. “There’s been millions of people that have died since I announced 20 years ago, and so this is a bittersweet day. Yes, I’m living, but people are still getting this virus even as we speak. We must change the mindset, and we must do a better job educating those who live in urban America about this disease.”

MAGIC Johnson Net Worth Magic Johnson is the 4th richest black american with a net worth: $500 million As May 2009 Source of Wealth: Restaurants, real estate, investments The retired professional basketball after announcing he had contracted HIV, became an entrepreneur. He introduced well-known brands to diverse neighborhoods via Magic Johnson Enterprises. With his several partnerships with companies like Starbucks, 24 Hour Fitness, T.G.I. Fridays, AMC Theatres, invested in urban real estate and companies catering to America’s underserved markets via his CanyonJohnson and Yucaipa-Johnson funds.

He has donated several millions to community-based organizations that focus on HIV/AIDS education and prevention. He now runs Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company that has a net worth of $700 million THE PROMOTA

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BRAIN GAIN

Teacher Belvien brings

good education to CONGO AND UK education, which can make it difficult for children to thrive in school.

In 2002, Belvien set up a UK-based community organisation called African Future Development (AFD), to deliver Saturday schools and mentoring programmes to British Congolese children living in London.

Belvien secured funding for AFD from Comic Relief’s Common Ground Initiative (CGI), which is co-funded by the Department for International Development (DFID).

The CGI works with African diaspora organisations in the UK, which are run by people of African heritage with strong emotional, cultural and political links to their country.

nspired by his time teaching in British schools, Congolese Belvien has taken the lessons he has learnt back to his homeland, to help children in the Congo get the education they deserve.

The new funding has allowed Belvien to expand AFD’s work to Africa. Alongside their established UK projects, AFD now also works to improve training and school facilities for teachers, parents and pupils living in the Congo.

When Belvien moved to London 11 years ago, he was impressed by the organisation and structure of the British education system, and yet, at the same time, it struck him how differently children learn in his native Congo.

In the Congo, Belvien’s view of education was shaped by the country’s underfunded schools, which are often without buildings and toilets. Crowds of pupils would sit outdoors under the guidance of just one volunteer educator.

From his own experiences, Belvien knew how scarce resources, combined with little training, mean that teachers in the Congo often struggle to deliver high quality

He explains: “As teachers, we had no resources and no money. The kids were struggling but it was routine, it was normal to us.”

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Difference It wasn’t until he came to England in 2002 and founded AFD that Belvien realised he could make a difference.

In the Congo, children struggle to flourish without properly trained teachers and resources. Lesson plans can be outdated and opportunities for parents and children to voice their concerns are limited.

Training With help from Comic Relief’s Common Ground Initiative, cofunded by DFID, AFD has been creating training programmes for parents and teachers.

They have formalised plans for school boards and child participation, to ensure that schools are meeting children’s needs. The programme has become so successful that it now encompasses 33 schools in six districts across the Congo.

Belvien says: “Parents and teachers listen to me because I’m from the Congo and, as a teacher, they are confident that I know the system.

The Congolese in the UK have also responded very well.”

With the Common Ground Initiative’s support, AFD are helping more Congolese parents, children and teachers create a robust education system that will improve the quality of schooling for future generations.

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OPINION

I shall steal from Myself!

‘How can I use this man’s contacts for my own gain? How can I highjack his investors and make it look like they are investing in Uganda, thanks to me? And if this were not bad enough, people also indulge in character sabotaging, out of jealousy, maliciousness or envy.

Please follow to explain to you that indeed, however nonsensical it sounds, people steal from themselves often and do not even know it, because their action of stealing looks like they are taking from another, and not from themselves.

Yet again, the publisher of The Promota and I had this discussion about lack of integrity in the African community in the UK, and in the heart of Africans back home, in the Motherland. Yet again, he tells me of people in the highest position of leadership and political circles regularly engaging in deceit, lies, deceptions and highjacking of ideas, projects and investors.

When I visited Uganda the first time, I thought Ugandans were like me, what they said was a fact, the truth, and I could believe every word, which I did! Did I fall from a great height the day I realised that nearly everything I was being told had to be inspected closely for questioning, lies sifted from the truth, a truth that was very scant indeed!!

Mr Mutenza told me that the majority of the people who come forward to help with his various community projects nearly always help him with a hidden agenda, www.thepromota.co.uk

Are such people really so ignorant that they do not how destructive these activities are for themselves?

Are they so ignorant that they do not see how their lies and deceptions, once exposed, make people lose trust in them, thereby shutting doors of opportunities? Do they not see that they are stealing from themselves something very precious called integrity, and that without integrity, they will never be able to fully realise their potential?

It may appear for a while, that the highjacked ideas and investors will have brought some benefit into their lives, but have they seen the massive tear in the very fabric of their character? And with such a tear, becoming bigger with further lies, deception and conniving , doors will shut, people will turn away, reputations go asunder, and jobs and positions get lost altogether.

Dear people, wake up to this universal truth, and let it stick in your mind as if your life depended on it: “what you do to another, you do it to yourself, what you steal from another, you steal from yourself, when you deceive another, you deceive yourself, when you lie to another or about another, you lie to or about yourself!

In addition, wake up to this Universal truth of Cause and Effect: what you produce and project out into the world ALWAYS looks like a boomerang: it WILL come back to you with interest, guaranteed!

So if you put out there lies, deceit, highjacking, stealing , the same

will come back to you, magnified, even worse than what you did.

This is not at all some sort of Godly punishment; this is the foundation on which our Universe functions.

You might be the only one to know you spread lies about another and at some point, the negative energies you put out will find you again.

You may have completely forgotten about the lies, and will complain that someone has just said such terrible things about you, and made you lose the chance of getting your dream job, and how can they do this to you, because you are really innocent of all wrong-doing, right?!

It is time for Africans to wake up to what they are doing to themselves.

European investors, after witnessing such behaviour, and being a victim of it, turn their back on Africa for good. Have you, dear Africans, ever thought about the bad effects your behaviour leave in people’s minds?

Do you know how awfully tiring it can be to always wonder how much of what you say is a lie, and how much is the truth?

I urge you all, reading this, for just 24hours, to monitor every one of your thoughts, words and actions, and to make sure that each of them is a full reflection of integrity and see how good you feel about yourself, and how people react to you. Then stretch it to two days, then three, and then make a habit of it until you become integrity personified, until you know that you have become incorruptible! Then and only then, will you start to really embark on the road to success, within yourself and with other people.

And if you decide not to embrace integrity, you are indeed your own worst enemy, stealing from yourself!

Isabelle Gravenstein Feature Editor - Promota magazine THE PROMOTA

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LIBERIA–CHILDREN IN THE FIGHT AGAINST

CORRUPTION I

remember the first time I stared corruption in the face.

It was 2010, and I was chairwoman of a Liberian government committee responsible for reforming the awarding of international scholarships. We discovered that a group of 18-yearold boys had forged their national exam records to become eligible for a scholarship to Morocco.

I wasn’t surprised; fraud has become a national pastime in Liberia. If you’re ethical and upright, you’re called stupid.

If you’re ruthless, greedy and cunning, you get praised as a national hero.

In her 2006 inaugural address, President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf vowed to make corruption public enemy number one, despite the country’s long history of patronage and graft. Seven years on, corruption remains in full public view and has yet to be stamped out.

The country’s auditor general was dismissed for using his private company to get a government contract. And earlier this year, a member of the House of Representatives was caught on tape allegedly soliciting a bribe, yet he remains in office.

In the last 10 years, Liberia has received billions of dollars in international aid, but questions are starting to be asked about how those donor dollars are spent. Last month, $13 million from the European Union for health-related projects reportedly went missing before resurfacing. While maternal mortality remains high, government officials are squabbling over who should get the lion’s share of the country’s meager $553 million budget.

The only way corruption will be rooted out here and elsewhere in Africa is if we teach our children to recognize it, reject it and condemn and shame their elders.

When we invited the 18-year-olds who

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had forged their records to a meeting to coax them into confessing, they initially sat stone-faced, in their pristine white shirts and pleated pants. Then one of them cracked.

“Yes, it was me. I did it,” he said. But more disturbing than the act of cheating was the fact that these young men believed they had done nothing wrong — that falsifying documents was a legitimate exercise as long as you didn’t get caught. They were simply parroting the kind of corruption they’ve seen in school, government and the private sector.

Here, corruption is enmeshed in daily human interaction; it is a function of both poverty and greed. Journalists take bribes because media salaries are virtually nonexistent; businesses sell substandard goods with impunity; squatters auction off land that doesn’t belong to them; and university students pay professors to manipulate their grades.

One could argue that Liberia’s very foundation is built on theft and dispossession. The country was “founded” in 1847 by repatriated slaves from the United States who in turn disenfranchised indigenous populations for over a century. But I refuse to believe that our inability — or reluctance — to overcome corruption is only a function of history.

Governance gurus and donors often argue that building institutions in fragile states like Liberia will weed out corruption. But institutions are not one-size-fits-all, foolproof structures for curbing human vice. If individuals are corrupt, then the institutions they represent, no matter how strong, can also be corrupted.

The real challenge lies in straightening a severely crooked ethical order. And we can’t afford to wait until someone is 18 to demand that he or she miraculously develops scruples. The adults, mired

in a culture of endemic corruption, are unyielding. It’s the children who must lead Liberia’s moral revolution.

Our children have been born into a country recovering from war, where people are openly questioning the status quo more than ever before. They also have the uncanny ability to imagine alternative ways of doing things. And they are at the critical stage in their development when it is easy to challenge old values and instill new ones.

But first, we have to arm them with the right tools. Children gravitate to audio and visual stimuli, so anyone rallying them against corruption must employ radio dramas, popular songs, games and storybooks.

I wrote “Gbagba,” an anti-corruption primer for kids, to teach them about values and ethics. But instead of employing spiders or rabbits, Gbagba has human characters, with contemporary scenarios that children can relate to.

The project was conceived out of my own frustrations in returning to Liberia, where, after many years living abroad, I found an inverted social order, where wrong appears right, and right offers few benefits. During Liberia’s civil war, those who survived did so by both fair and foul means. During peace, we are struggling to discern the thin line between fair and foul, and floundering in the process.

Liberia’s children — and kids throughout Africa — are an untapped arsenal in the war against corruption that we have ignored for much too long.

But only if we teach them that corruption is not inevitable will children begin to shame adults into doing the right thing.

Robtel Neajai Pailey is a columnist for New Narratives, a Liberian news Web site, and a doctoral candidate in development studies at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London. .

www.thepromota.co.uk

God Loves Uganda Gratuitously, Uganda is often labelled the worst place in the world to be gay, largely as a result of the Anti-Homosexuality Bill that is under considered by its parliament.

The ‘Kill the Gays Bill’, as it is known due to provision to impose the death penalty contained within it, has widespread support in Uganda and is reflective of growing hostility, even hatred, towards homosexuals in the country.

M

o d e r n - d a y missionaries from the US, a murdered LGBT rights activist and a firebrand pastor who shows gay pornography to his church congregation, are among the key protagonists in God Loves Uganda.

The documentary feature film, tipped for a 2014 Oscar nomination, follows the progress of America’s well-funded right-wing Evangelical movement as it exports its values – and bigotry – to the east African country.

While God Loves Uganda does not use explicit narration to link the Evangelical missionaries with rising anti-gay hatred, the obvious connections are laid bare for all to see. In one of the film’s most telling scenes would-be missionaries, flanked by maps of Africa and strategic plans, discuss their tactics once they get to Uganda. They talk primarily of orphanages and children, clearly cognisant of the likelihood that the vulnerable groups within society will be the most receptive to the imposition of their values. www.thepromota.co.uk

“It hasn’t always been like that,” says Frank Mugisha, Executive Director of Sexual Minorities Uganda (SMUG), “when I was growing up people were known as different and there was some talk [of homosexuality] but it was not so intense.”

Frank’s friend and colleague David Kato, who features in God Love Uganda, was bludgeoned to death in 2011 by an unknown assailant, many believe as a result of his sexuality. The documentary also shows David’s funeral, during which the pastor who conducts the initial ceremony condemns homosexuality, and fervent anti-LGBT protesters harangue the mourners.

Frank also receives death threats, but continues to promote SMUG, which is currently bringing a case against another of the film’s featured hate-peddlers, Scott Lively. The civil lawsuit, which is going through the US courts, accuses the selfstyled preacher of ‘crimes against humanity’, relating to his role in the Ugandan Government’s aggressive attack on LGBT identity.

Overall, however, Frank believes the solution lies within Uganda

itself. He says: ‘”We have to take responsibility because this is where [the Evangelicals] are, so Ugandans have to wake up and see that not all the messages they bring are good messages.”

God Loves Uganda was screened most recently in the UK at St Paul’s Cathedral by the Human Dignity Trust (HDT), an organisation that provides legal support to groups and individuals in countries where it is still a crime to be gay, in order to challenge the laws which persecute them.

Jonathan Cooper, CEO of HDT, makes the point that 50 years ago, the worst place in the world to be gay was in fact Britain. Indeed, in the 1950s at any one time there were up to 1,000 gay men languishing in UK prisons for nothing more than consensual, private sexual acts between adults.

“And yet in the UK today, being gay is unremarkable,” he adds.

After watching God Loves Uganda it’s hard to imagine a similar change in the country’s public mood in just half a century. But for human rights to triumph, the general consensus of the post-screening discussion lays much responsibility with the church, which, it is felt, needs to do more to counteract the hateful messages propagated by its extreme factions.

Frank tends to agree: “It is also up to other Christians to speak as loudly as the Evangelicals do, to show that theirs is not the only opinion.”

By Nina Kelly For info on film here (e.g. director’s name etc) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1874513/

THE PROMOTA

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INVESTMENT

Lord Sheikh urges Uganda to do more to attact UK investors sons and daughters of Uganda and should have sufficient interest in the economic growth and development of their mother country.

One such Ugandan Asian is Lord Sheikh whom I had the opportunity to meet in June 2013 at the invitation of Willy Mutenza, Chairman of Ugandan Convention in the UK. Willy had just returned from Uganda and whilst in Uganda he was tasked to hand deliver a message to Lord Sheikh about investment opportunities in Uganda.

U

ganda is at cross roads with respect to the sort of foreign investor it should attract.

Europe and Britain in particular has historical ties with Uganda and makes it a natural choice as an investment partner. But is Britain, or Europe sufficiently interested in Uganda as an investment destination?

China, the new kid on the block, has substantial cash reserves, is ready to splash out on shiny new building and roads in Africa in return for rights to Africa’s resources. Moreover, China doesn’t ask those awkward questions about human rights and corruption in the same way that the West does. But I understand that something about the Chinese is making Museveni nervous. I suspect it is the “unknown quantity” that is the Chinese agenda.

With that in mind, Museveni is keen to attract the Ugandan Asian Diaspora back to Uganda. These are

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We met Lord and Lady Sheikh at the House of Lords and spoke over cream tea. Lord and Lady Sheikh are impeccable hosts with fond memories of Uganda and still speak fluent Swahili after several years in the Diaspora. Lord Sheikh was born in Mbale, a point he was quick to mention, as well as the beauty of Sipi falls.

The conversation centered on investment in Uganda. What should Uganda do in order to attract British based companies to invest in Uganda including those owned by Ugandan Asians?

Lord Sheikh acknowledged the work Museveni has done to stabilize Uganda and in particular praised Museveni for dealing with the HIV epidemic in an open manner that allowed the country to reduce the incidence of HIV and AIDS where Uganda’s peers had failed.

He further cited the high literacy levels in Uganda, the fact that English is widely spoken. He said that there is a good range of qualified managers

as attractive qualities to wouldbe investors. Lord Sheikh added that this commonality of language with Britain is a big asset, however Uganda needs to “sell it” to potential investors.

He however lamented the fact that Uganda is not doing enough to promote itself. He cited Uganda’s tourism as an example, saying that it has the potential to attract investment and generate jobs for local people, but that it is not capitalizing on this, leave the whole job to patriotic people like Mutenza who are just doing it out of love for their country.

He advised that Uganda should organize a regular trade mission from the UK to Uganda to show potential investors what Uganda has to offer, in addition to regular publications to provide information and/or statistics on tourism, infrastructure, energy sector and the precise sectors that offer investment opportunities as well as areas of growth.

Lord Sheikh also shared his concerns that Arab countries in particular are not investing in Uganda’s agriculture and yet there are ample opportunities for them to do so. On agriculture generally, Lord Sheikh said that very little Ugandan tea, coffee and flowers make it to the Arab and European markets in sufficient quantities.

Does Uganda have what it takes to rise up and take advantage of the opportunities that are out there?

The future investment statistics and results will speak for themselves.

by Ida Horner

www.thepromota.co.uk

FASHION & BEAUTY

Gladys Kyotungire Miss Uganda UK 2013

For more info: Jacqueline Matovu, CEO Miss Uganda UK +44 (0) 7957 480640 info@missugandauk.com www.missugandauk.com www.thepromota.co.uk

THE PROMOTA

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FGM

Female F

genital mutilation

emale genital mutilation (FGM) has its roots in African tradition. There are different types of FGM ranging from partial to complete removal of the clitoris as well as other procedures including “pricking, piercing, incising, scraping and cauterizing the genital area”. The removal of healthy tissue not only interferes with the natural functions of girls’ and women’s bodies but often results in immediate acute pain, shock, severe bleeding, and bacterial infection as well long term recurrent urinary tract and bladder infections, complications in childbirth and often leads to painful sexual intercourse.

UNICEF estimates that “at least 120 million girls and women have undergone FGM in Africa and the Middle East”. Thankfully the popularity of FGM is declining however, up to 30 million girls may still be at risk, with “more than 90 per cent of women aged 15–49 years having been ‘cut’ in Djibouti, Egypt, Guinea and Somalia.” Although FGM is illegal in the UK, it is difficult to ensure that families don’t encourage the tradition especially as it is common among migrants from the aforementioned areas to send young girls back to their ancestral homelands to undergo the procedure, usually over the duration of the summer holidays. According to Human rights organization Equality Now it is estimated that “66,000 women and girls have undergone FGM in England and Wales” and up to “24,000 girls under the age of 11 are at risk of undergoing it”.

The Evening Standard carried out

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a Freedom of Information request which found that “over 2,100 women and girls in London have sought medical treatment for female genital mutilation since 2006, with 708 of those needing to be admitted or have surgery.”

Zarah Hassan, a devout Muslim living in the UK believes that the barbaric tradition continues to be perpetuated because of the mistaken belief that the practice is rooted in the Koran. She says “sometimes you cannot differentiate what is culture and what is religion: you might think this is the way you have to live.”

Zarah actively works with Christianbased charity Initiatives of Change in re-educating her community by encouraging families in the Diaspora not to cave in to immense pressure they face from family members back home who demand they conform and continue the practice. Pointing out the power exerted by grandparents she says “we have this culture that even if you are a parent, your mother and father are your decision-makers.

But if that is the case, don’t take the children out there (to stay with the family over the holidays)”... “I know some grannies who are very powerful, and they will do it (have the girls circumcised) with or without the parents’ consent.” Speaking of some of the women she works with, she says “often, they tell me: ‘My mother is phoning me from back home, telling me it is good to have my daughter circumcised while she is young, under five. She is forcing me.’” As a 51 year old woman who has also been ‘cut’, she believes it is an age old method of controlling

women “...it was a form of powergaining. Men wanted to show the power they have, because when (the vagina) is stitched together, a very narrow gap is left and the man shows his power when he presses there.” She speaks of the ongoing pain suffered during intercourse. Horrifyingly this agony is often re¬lived by some women, who are subjected to “reinfibulation”. Re-infibulation is the process of sewing up the vagina again following childbirth, thus exposing the woman to further pain, health risks and undue complications which may result from repeatedly interfering with the vagina. This is often carried out by the older women, challenging the notion that it is only men who are the perpetrators of this cruel tradition.

It is commonly believed that removing the clitoris controls women’s sexual desire and behavior.

It supposedly protects her honour and virginity. However, it has no credible health benefit or religious basis. In countries such as Egypt where it is banned and indeed condemned by the Christian Coptic Church together with the leading Muslim authority Al-Azhar, prevalence remains high with a rate of 91% of 15 – 49 year old women having undergone the procedure according to UNICEF, indicating that attitudes are still to change. Indeed until the 1950s, FGM was even performed in England and the United States as a common “treatment” for lesbianism, masturbation, hysteria, epilepsy, and other so-called “female deviances” according to Koso¬Thomas. Clearly this method of chastity is effective

www.thepromota.co.uk

because a study carried out in Sudan in 1981 found that 50% of 1,545 women who had undergone the operation said “they did not enjoy sex at all and only accepted it as a duty...” a clear indicator that FGM may have a detrimental effect on women’s sexuality. Hardly surprisingly when FGM oftentimes involves complete removal of the clitoral hood, clitoris, labia minora, and labia majora and/or stitching/ narrowing of the vaginal opening.

Ill-founded claims that it ensures cleanliness, preserves virginity, prevents promiscuity and excessive clitoral growth need to be challenged.

It can hardly enhance male sexuality as it commonly thought when the vaginal opening is often so narrow as to prevent penetration altogether!

“5.5 percent of women experienced painful intercourse while 9.3 percent of them reported having difficult or impossible penetration.” And far from facilitating childbirth by widening the birth canal “the highest maternal and infant mortality rates are in FGM practicing regions” thus being highly detrimental to the lives of even the unborn.

More education is needed to alert men as to the severity and consequences of the practice. Some think it is comparable to male circumcision, but not so. FGM is far more drastic as it “destroys much or all of the vulva nerve endings.” Male circumcision involves removal only of foreskin, albeit the part with the highest concentration of nerve endings. Some argue that if female circumcision were done in a sterile hospital room, it would be very much the same as that of a male child however, that argument is a nonstarter as even male circumcision has already been proven to have long-term physical and psychological effects. So circumcision as a whole leaves a sour taste in everybody’s mouth. However a lot more needs to be done to stop the lives of young girls and women being www.thepromota.co.uk

GENITAL MUTILATION than their rural counterparts to support FGM. Meaning that the way to bring about change is to educate and empower these women.

put at risk. In 2007, two girls died post operation, followed by 13-year old Nermine El-Haddad who bled to death in a hospital room following the procedure, in 2010. The issue has again risen to the fore following the recent death of Sohair al Bata, a 13 year old Egyptian girl who suffered “a sharp drop in blood pressure resulting from shock trauma” and subsequently never woke up. As data is not readily available, it is difficult to determine actual death rates.

According to Koso-Thomas “where medical facilities are ill-equipped, emergencies arising from the practice cannot be treated... a child who develops uncontrolled bleeding or infection after FGM may die within hours.” According to Path studies carried out “in areas in the Sudan where antibiotics are not available, it is estimated that one-third of the girls undergoing FGM will die.”

Furthermore, “conservative estimates suggest that more than one million women in Central African Republic (CAR), Egypt, and Eritrea, the only countries where such data is available, experienced adverse health effects from FGM”. Path also found that “there is a direct correlation between a woman’s attitude towards FGM and her place of residence, educational background, and work status” Research indicated that urban and employed women with secondary or higher education are less likely

Wrong ideology needs to addressed and challenged. FGM needs to be taken out of the religious and cultural context and treated as a human rights and child protection issue in order to make perpetrators fully accountable. It is worrying that even though it is illegal in several countries not a single perpetrator has ever been brought to justice. A number of countries ratified or at least adopted The Maputo Protocol (TMP) following the “Assembly of the African Union.” TMP promoted women’s rights and called for an end to FGM as well as right to abortions. Fast forward to today and the UN has introduced a Global Ban on FGM. Furthermore in the UK, Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) now considers it to be a child protection issue. Keir Starmer, the Director of Public Prosecutions (DDP), QC, recently published an Action Plan aimed at tackling the problem in the UK. But it is still very much an exploratory plan rather than a provision of concrete solutions because data is very limited. It will throw further light on the issue to enable us to come up with more direct, conclusive solutions, such as demanding greater accountability from parents who send their children abroad for the procedure. Initiatives such as the ‘health passport’ offer a glimmer of hope however they are yet to be tested fully and rely too heavily on cooperation from distant relatives who have been shown to be uncooperative. Thankfully, awareness is increasing.

If you are worried about a child affected or in danger of being affected by FGM please contact NSPCC 0800 028 3550 for information and support. Alternatively, contact Women’s Aid on 0117 944 4411 or helpline@womensaid.org.uk

By Katasi Kironde THE PROMOTA

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Uganda UK Gospel Concert 2013

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GOSPEL SHOW

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THE PROMOTA

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Uganda UK Gospel

Concert 2013

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Uganda UK Gospel

Concert 2013

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THE PROMOTA

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