No Way, No How, No McCain

Finally after a week of attempting to weasel out of the first Presidential debate, John McCain takes time off of trying to save the American economy and possibly the world at that to show up for the debate. How noble of him …

During the debate, Obama was Obama and McCain was McCain, nothing new there except as I watched I saw the wolf begin to show in McCain as he let the sheep clothing slip off. At first I thought John McCain was doing well until he started patronizing and undermining Obama leaving a truly nasty after taste in my mouth.

How could he keep saying ”Barrack just doesn’t understand”, or that Barrack was naive when Barrack was in clear command of the facts? These are serious times that call for a grown-up mature leader and with age and experience on McCain’s side, he is leaving much to be desire still … at least from me.

McCain seems to have forgotten that Barrack Obama was not appointed to run against him for President. Barrack Obama went through the toughest primaries ever and against political celebrity, Hilary Clinton with the odds against him and still came out on top.

- Dorothy Tiyah

African People Always Late Syndrome

By: Mbole Ekaney

A Few days ago, I asked 62 African Students at Rutgers University in Newark New Jersey to think of the most recent event they attended and tell me if they were on time for that event. Only 3% of this group of students could boast being on time. Yes it is true. Africans have a problem that has plagued them for many, many, years. It is a cause for concern. In some cases it is fashionable to be late and lateness actually works in our favor but in most cases, it doesn’t. This has fast become a part of our daily livelihood and desperately needs to be addressed.

Is it life threatening? To some degree-NO. Is it a habitual problem? YES. Does it benefit us as a community? I say – Absolutely NOT.

Sometimes it is referred to as “African Time” but I will label it a disease and name it “African People Always Late Syndrome” (APALS). This disease runs widely through the African community. Do I hear a guilty chuckle? Are you one of those that fall in the 97% group diagnosed with this syndrome?

Think about it …

• How many times did you wake up at 6am (giving yourself an extra hour) to get ready for work and did not leave your house until 7:55am despite the fact that you have to be at work at 8am?
• How many times did you ever have the pleasure of seeing the bride and groom actually walk into church at the beginning of a wedding ceremony?
• How many times did you ever make it on time to your doctor’s appointment?
• How many times did you tell a friend or date that you were on your way when you know darn well that you still needed to hit the shower?
• How many times have you shown up for a party 2 or more hours later than the time it was scheduled to begin?
• How many flights have you missed and convinced yourself it was traffic when you know you could have planned better?

I could go on and on but I think you get the picture. This is not to you Africans who are almost always on time but I can bet that your boyfriend, husband, girlfriend or wife, brother or sister should be reading this article. Yes, I mean the one who runs late to almost every event.

APALS poses a potential problem in our African community and hinders our growth in a society where time is money. Imagine not being chosen for a lead position at your job because you are always 2 minutes late for work. You think people don’t notice? They do.

Imagine always coming late to church. You think its cool to make a grand entrance? Not in the eyes of God! Imagine arriving late on your first date with a friend or someone of interest. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth. How about that job interview? Being late could easily ruin your chances.

What we owe each other Is respect

We cannot keep expecting that everyone else will be late to a function. No matter how you see it, it is a bad habit. We need to reflect within ourselves in order to fix this problem of time and lateness and not dwell on the fact that Africans are always late so it’s acceptable, because it is not.

I don’t know about you, but I hate waiting on people so I don’t make them wait on me. This is about respecting someone else’s time. If you say you will meet someone at 3pm, be there at 3pm. If you show up at 3:30pm, then you show no respect for the other person’s time. They could have been doing something else other than waiting for you.

It is time we realize that little things such as APALS can lead to bigger issues that might not be solvable. I will like to challenge all of you reading my viewpoint to go to your next event on time. Do not be late. I’m share many other vibers will like to learn about your on-time experience so drop a comment when you have one.

The Njangi

In tough financial times when banks are failing and the systems we trusted before are no longer reliable; in times when money is scarce and financial responsibility enormous, I reflect on an age old African system of money management that is used to this day. A community based system that has supported families through tough times, stretched meagre incomes allowing parents to educate their children; giving others great opportunities to develop their lives without the total dependence on any banks or major regulatory system.

The Malians, Algerians, Moroccans and several other French speaking African countries call it “pari”. Liberians and Ghanians call it “sousou”. In Nigeria it is known by many names but “ajoh” and “family lottery” seem to be widely used. In Cameroon “tontine” and “njangi” carry the same meaning.

The variety of names conveys the diversity of the beautiful African continent, however the underlying principles that have been handed down many generations to guide this process are not new.

In Cameroon as in other parts of Africa, the Njangi helps individuals save money. When done as a group it gives access to large amounts of cash loans with little or no hassle. With major institutions having stringent guidelines for borrowers, especially those who may have recently migrated into the United States, njangi, sousou, pari and tontine have stepped in to provide some much needed financial relief.

Whether it is a group of friends, an alumni association or just a handful of family members, some Africans have historically pooled their resources together to help each other achieve financial dreams. The detailed requirements may differ across countries, ethnic or cultural groups but overall, the process is built on a high level of trust. Njangis also provide an avenue to meet friends or family members, socially.

Take the example of a group of 10 friends who have formed a social group and njangi with a monthly meeting. Every month they each decide to bring in $500. Members could increase their stakes. Two members decide to bring in $1000 each instead of $500. That means there are 12 ‘hands’ of $500 each. The group therefore has $6000 at each sitting. In some groups, members may cast ballots to decide the order in which they take home the funds. In other cultures the hosting member takes home the funds and hosting rotates to a different member’s home each month. On the day of the meeting, everyone brings in their contributions and the first member takes home a cash packet of $6000. This process will rotate each month for a year to consume the 12 ‘hands’ of the Njangi. Each time a member takes home money, the member is said to have ‘chopped the njangi’. The two members whose contributions are doubled will have two opportunities to take home money. They could negotiate with other members on the collection times. In some larger groups members “chop” or borrow funds on a bi-weekly or even a weekly basis. The Njangi term is consumated when all hands have been chopped and the group can start over.

Some groups use Njangis as a support system or investment club. They require members to leave behind a token whenever they collect funds. For instance instead of taking home $6000 as in our example, each member leaves behind $50 which will be saved in a group account and could be used to invest in a mutual fund, visit a sick or bereaved member or some other purpose.

In some variations of this process, all funds pooled together can be borrowed. Some situations warrant the borrower to present some form of collateral such as a car or a house especially when the stakes are higher. In other cases one or two members will have to surety a potential borrower. Trust is the dominant factor in groups practicing the Njangi. 

Njangi funds have helped Africans achieve the dream of owning a home. They have also been used to pay tuition bills, buy a car or relief an immediate financial crisis. It has helped many Africans save as it creates a level of discipline since the funds are actually a loan and must be repaid.

Some Njangi groups are actually set up for investment purposes. Everytime the group meets, they put money down and when a project comes up, they all go into the project as a group. Njangis have helped some African Entrepreneurs thrive and has been the stepping stone to low or no interest borrowing that has propelled many African business men and women into much higher gains.

Njangis could be compared to a secure line of credit. It could also be likened to an investment club. There are many Africans in the Diaspora who will laud this process for their financial success today. Njangis have the added benefit of developing deep and lasting relationships while achieving financial growth and indepence.

The Best Rated Country Routes in South Africa

Like a meandering river, slowly majestically winding its way in a round about route to its final destination. Every drop not knowing where it’s going until it arrives and after arrival there is every trace of its journey mingled into every atom.

This is what happens when you go on those glorious and relaxing country drives whether it is with a picnic or just stopping in route there is nothing better than soaking up all that the country side has to offer.

When country side is mentioned, the image that comes to mind is of beautiful emerald green hills and soft cloudy days. This is a fantasy the country side is alive and vibrant with textures and hews that dazzle the eyes, diversity that’s as unique as an abstract oil painting and beauty that takes your breath away.

In this article I’ll include some of the more interesting drives in each of the provinces in South Africa with a slight overview of what each drive entails.

Gauteng:

The Magaliesberg Circular is a 200km circular route which encompasses the Witwatersrand botanical garden, Krugersdorp, Krugersdorp Game Reserve, The Sterkfontein caves, Rhino Park, hekpoort valley and the Magaliesberg and Hartebeespoort Dam.

The Crocodile ramble route which includes Croc City crocodile farm.

Limpopo:

Soutpansberg birding route, for all those birding enthusiast and nature lovers. The route includes Eastern Limpopo River valley, Eastern Soutpansberg, Kruger national park, North Western Flats, North Eastern Venda and the South Western Flats.

Ribbola Open Africa Route, for lovers of African curious such as arts and crafts.

Rixile Open Africa Route, a slow meandering route with mind blowing scenery and unbelievable cultural experiences.

Zoutpansberg skirmishes route, a definite must for those who adore history. Follow the last days of the Anglo-Boer war in the Zoutpansberg.

Mpumalanga:

Cosmos country route, although this area is one of the biggest mining areas in South Africa, it suddenly bursts with pink and white when the cosmos flowers open in late summer. Some points of interest are that it is home to the big five and is the only area in the world that makes petrol out of coal.

The wild frontier route boasting discoveries of some of the oldest life on earth. The area in which the route takes place is also known as the cradle of life and home to the historic towns of Barberton, Badplaas, Komatipoort and Kaapmuiden. The Mkonja Mountain range is considered of the oldest in the world with its immense and imposing beauty.

The Panorama is a route of what can only be said, eye candy. Its beautiful backdrops and natural scenery draws tourists by the hoards and is generally just one of the most amazing places to visit. It is home to places like Gods window and the world’s third biggest green canyon, Bourke’s luck potholes which are formed by the meandering river, and lastly of the 3 rondawels.

Lowveld Legogote is a route where you can find the oldest dolomite caves, Sudwala Caves, in the world, a botanical garden that boasts an African rain forest and what is considered as some of the oldest living plants species in the world, the cycads.

Highlands Meander boasts some of the sub continents rarest bird species, rock climbing, extravagant wild flowers and the fly fishing Mecca of South Africa. This route is definitely meant for those who have a great love of nature.

The cultural Heartland route is one of those routes where you can immerse yourself in the culture of the area, the Ndebele, and experience life in the Homesteads of the people. Within the route you can also learn more about the Boer war and enjoy some of the best that nature has to offer.

The grass and wetlands route, a bird watchers paradise, historian’s playground and nature lover’s escapade. This route boasts the largest freshwater lake in South Africa, with a frog watching festival in summer and a star gazing festival in winter. You can also witness a reenactment of the Boer war annually.

Kwazulu Natal:

Apart from beautiful coastlines and vibrant city life the Kwazulu Natal countryside is exquisitely beautiful.

The midlands meander is an arts and crafts route that was started in 1985. The main aim of the route is to bring people inland for a bit and to show the master craftsman at their best. Apart from arts and crafts you can also experience incredible lush scenery, beautiful towns and even a Botanical Garden in Pietermaritzburg.

The battlefields route boasts the largest concentration of battlefields in South Africa and goes out of its way to show visitors how South Africa was shaped and how South Africa also rocked Europe to its core. But apart from battlefields you can enjoy a wonderful sub tropical climate, beautiful scenery and wildlife galore.

The KZN Zululand route gives visitors a unique view of the life, culture and history of the Zulu People and shows how from a minor tribe of the Eastern Nguni people it became a powerhouse to be reckoned with.

The Free State:

Although this area has no formal routes it has some incredible scenery and a lot to see. The scenery changes from open grass lands to exquisitely weathered Sandstone hills. It is abound with surprising picturesque valleys and has some definite highlights such as the Golden gate national park, Harrismith, Ficksburg (cherry capital of the country), Clocolan (the centre of SA’s asparagus production), and Fouriesberg (with stunning scenery and beautiful game and national parks).

Northwest:

Although with out formal routes this is a land of bountiful splendor with loads of entertainment. Here you can visit places like Lichtenberg, which was the scene of the last truly great diamond rush. The gold mining town of Klerksdorp. Pochefstroom with its incredible university and learning centers. If you want to take in a bit of fun and entertainment then why not visit Sun City and the Pielansberg national park where the most successful game stocking ventures, coined operation genesis, in South Africa took place. Sun City has everything from Casino’s, game rides, crocodile farm, golf course (where incidentally the Nedbank Million Dollar takes place) and hotels to beautiful scenery and exquisite luxury. The North West is also an agricultural hub with rolling maize and grain fields and much more produce to be found.

Northern Cape Routes:

Augrabies route is a sub-Saharan route with all the splendor of a dessert. Witness how animals survive extreme temperature fluctuations from up to 45 degrees Celsius in summer to below zero temperatures at nigh in winter and sometimes in summer to.

Kalahari Red dunes routes, for nature lovers. Witness the game, bird life and other wildlife while traveling over the rust red dunes of the Kalahari.

Kamiesberg Route is where you can find some incredible rock formations, fascinating plant life and all the wildlife you’d ever want to see. Hire a vehicle with air conditioning as temperatures can get stifling.

Richtersfeld route, ever wanted to see the moon? Well this route come close to it with its desert and rocky mountainous landscape.

Western Cape:

Cape Karoo route, if you’re looking for great contrasts and incredible beauty then this is it. The route takes you through famous towns such as Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, mountainous scenery with contrasts of lush Winelands and semi arid desert.

There are also many routes in and around Cape Town. From the North, South, East, West and central routes to further ranging routes such as the Winelands route and whale route with each route offering its own special bit of scenery, history and beauty.

The Cape Garden Route is a beautiful route that is approximately 800km’s long. It boasts a landscape of forests, mountains, water and fynbos, hence its name. The best part of the trip is that the route is largely untouched by industry so the natural wonder is immense. The trip will normally take about 4 days but you can make it as long or as short as you want to.

The Cape Town route 62 is characterized by open area and mountainous scenery. It is an inland route that stretches about 600km’s and is filled with diversity and beauty. It is also known as the world’s longest wine route going through most of the central wine growing areas such as Paarl, Tulbach, Wellington and many more.

The Cape West Coast route. Do you enjoy your fresh seafood, beautiful flowers and much more then the West coast route is perfect for you. Although these 2 items aren’t the only pleasures you’ll find most Cape Town Locals will name them as the biggest attraction of the West coast route. The route stretches for about 600km’s and usually takes about 5 days to complete.

The Cape Whale route is a route of dramatics where you will find or hear about things like the ghost ship the Flying Dutchman which is forever doomed to try and round the Cape bend. You will also see things like the wreck of the Birkenhead where the nautical tradition of woman and children first began. Considered to be South Africa’s most scenic and interesting drive, the route stretches for about 400km’s and will take you about 2 days to complete.

Eastern Cape:

Tsitsikama Falls Adventure Park, this is a route which leads you back into the garden route and is home to the highest commercial bungee jump in the world (standing at 216m), the highest narrow gauge bridge in the world, South Africa’s first natural marine park and South Africa’s first tree top canopy tour. Tractor rides and horse trails will astonish you with tours into the heart of the forest.

The Kouga Route, here you can drive along routes with pastoral scenery, beautiful seashell beaches and natural wilderness with national and game parks. The route goes past Jeffrey’s bay which holds the annual Gunston 500 (also known as the Mr Price surf classic), St Francis and nearby Cape St Francis where you will witness things such as whale watching surfing and angling. Along the route you can also see rock art or the place where Khoi San Sarah Baartman has been reburied. The story of Sarah Baartman is that in the 1800’s she was deported to Europe where she was put on as a living specimen of native Southern Africa. People were intrigued by the big bottoms and coloring of the people. After her death she was preserved and housed in France and eventually after years of negotiating she was bought back to South Africa and given a traditional burial.

Sundays River Valley route, from beautiful Citrus farms to an elephant park. This route will show you everything from white dunes, lakes and thorny bushveld. The biggest attraction being the Addo Elephant Park which incorporates a 120000ha marine reserve. It is the first park that introduces the big 7 which are lion, buffalo, rhino, elephant, leopard, Southern right whale and Great white sharks.

The Sunshine coast route is found within 45km’s of the city centre of Port Elizabeth. It has a lot to offer, nature reserves with forests and cape fynbos regions, exquisite beaches, picnic areas, place where you can safely swim, dolphin and whale sightings and rock pools. You can also visit the popular Sacramento Shipwreck which occurred in 1647 at Schoenies.

The frontier Country route. A distinct feature of this trail is that it has arid farms that have been saved and turned into big 5 game reserves. The history of the area is incredible as it is the place where the British fought their longest and most expensive frontier wars. You can visit many towns along the route such as Grahamstown which is known as the city of saints because of the occurrence of its numerous churches.

Karoo heartland route. Sometimes referred to as God’s own Cathedral the heart of Karoo boasts open arid plains with vast dolomite spires that’s shadow barely touches sides. A place where 9000 different plant species have adapted to living in the harshest conditions and the only other distiller of tequila outside of Mexico can be found here. Here the spirit is called Algave spirit.

The Friendly N6 route which is set of the beaten track is ideal for outdoor activities. Activities on offer are fly fishing in cold trout streams, hiking on beautiful mountain trails, skiing at the only ski resort in Southern Africa, viewing San rock art and reviving in natural hot springs. Guest farms also boast beautiful conical hills, white rhino, horse riding, hiking and much more.

Amathole Mountain escape. For the adventurous souls or for those just seeking peace and solitude then this is perfect for you. You have abseiling, mountain bike riding, hiking, fly fishing and much more. The setting will take your breath away with majestic, forested mountain slopes and that fresh air that tucks you in at night.

The Wild Coast route is one for the ancestors. Here you can really get back to your routes with untouched and undeveloped lands and a host of activities. Activities include but are not restricted to hiking, horse trails, cliff jumping, salt water fly fishing, canoeing, water sports such as surfing, scuba diving and all the good things in life. For those interested in history then come and see where Nelson Mandela lived most of his free life and find out more about this great visionary leader at the Nelson Mandela museum.

For all these routes you will need different car type requirements please don’t hesitate to contact us at www.southafrica-carhire.com for a no obligation quote on a car to suite your needs for the time you’re here.

By Author: Justin Pretorius

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/destinations-articles/the-best-rated-country-routes-in-south-africa-452113.html

Magic System in Concert

Title: African Vibes Magazine Presents Magic System Live in Concert
Location: Fur ~ 33 Paterson St NE, Washington DC 20002
Link out: Click here
Description:

AFRICAN VIBES MAGAZINE
PRESENTS
MAGIC SYSTEM
LIVE IN CONCERT

Event Date: Sunday, October 12 2008
Concert Venue: Fur ~ 33 Patterson St NE, Washington DC 20002
Concert Start Time: 6:00 PM
After Party Venue: Blu Lounge & Grill ~ 6821 Reed St, Bethesda MD 20814
After Party Start Time: 11:00 PM
Event Contact: 301.442.4607 | 240.595.9753

Jolie-Pitt have Africa in mind

Angelina Jolie and Bratt Pitt can’t keep Africa off their minds and they make a major gesture to fight AIDS in Ethiopia. They made a $2 million to create a center, named after their adopted daughter, Zahara, for Ethiopian children affected by AIDS and tuberculosis. The money will be used to establish a center in the Ethiopian capital Addis Ababa to treat AIDS orphans and develop a program to treat drug-resistant tuberculosis.

“It is our hope that when Zahara is older, she will take responsibility for the clinic and continue its mission,” Pitt said in a statement.

The Jolie-Pitt Foundation helped set up a similar clinic in 2006 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that is named after Jolie’s adopted son, Maddox.

“Our goal is to transfer the success we have had in Cambodia to Ethiopia where people are needlessly dying of tuberculosis, a curable disease, and HIV/AIDS, a treatable disease,” Jolie said.

2008 Global Peace Leadership Summit – DAY 2

Title: 2008 Global Peace Leadership Summit – DAY 2
Location: UCLA Tom Bradley International Hall, 417 Charles E Young Dr. West, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Link out: Click here
Description: DAY 2: PROGRAM
8:00am – 9:00am Registration & Breakfast
Special Cultural Performance
Continental Breakfast

9:00am – 9:30am General Agwai’s speech: “Conflicts in Darfur”

9:30am – 10:15am Q & A with General Agwai

10:15am – 10:30am BREAK

10:30am – 12:00pm HUMAN TRAFFICKING with Ene Taylor

12:00pm – 1:00pm LUNCH

1:00pm – 2:15pm ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT with McEnunu

2:15pm – 2:30pm BREAK

2:30pm – 3:30pm Gender Issue in Conflict Resolution: with Hon. Jeanette Ndhlovu and Dr. Mosupyoe:

3:30pm – 4:45pm MEDIA / TOURISM panel with Amabel Niba

Start Time: 8:00 AM
Date: 2008-09-27
End Time: 5:00 PM

2008 Global Peace Leadership Summit – DAY 1

Title: 2008 Global Peace Leadership Summit – DAY 1
Location: UCLA Tom Bradley International Hall, 417 Charles E Young Dr. West, Los Angeles, CA 90024
Link out: Click here
Description: DAY 1: PROGRAM
8:00am – 9:00am Registration & Breakfast
Special Cultural Performance
Continental Breakfast

9:00am – 10:00am Welcome and Introductions

10:30am – 11:00am Dr. Salim speech: “Overcoming Conflicts in Africa – Impact on World Peace”

11:00am – 11:45am Q & A with Dr. Salim

12:00pm – 1:00pm LUNCH BREAK

1:15pm – 3:00pm PEACE EDUCATION PANEL

Moderator: Itibari M. Zulu, M.L.S. of The African Diaspora Foundation

3:00pm – 3:15pm BREAK

3:15pm – 4:30pm YOUTH PANEL with Savannah Overton

Start Time: 08:00 AM
Date: 2008-09-26
End Time: 05:00 PM

2008 Sanlam Fashion Week

Fela Kuti Revived in NY

The pulse racing new show of Nigerian Afrobeat legend, Fela Kuti made a good first impression on broadway. The show was co-written by Jim Lewis and took six years to develop. “Fela!” opened on Sept. 4 for a two-and-a-half-week engagement at 37 Arts, 450 West 37th Street in New York.